Overview
- Justice Shahid Karim viewed a courtroom video of trees being cut and ordered an immediate investigation with potential criminal cases against those found responsible.
- Environmental Commission member Syed Kamal Haider confirmed after a site visit that PHA personnel carried out the cutting, and the judge summoned relevant PHA officers for January 12 with a warning of possible arrests.
- The court directed that the matter be conveyed to the PHA director general, noting the authority should have prevented the felling rather than initiated it.
- The bench expanded oversight of urban-environment issues by ordering heavy fines on illegal service stations, creating a separate wastewater unit, enhancing digital and physical monitoring, restraining illegal construction at Nasir Bagh, and seeking expert reports on an underground parking plaza.
- Following public criticism, the PHA suspended three officials, relieved the Canal Project director of additional charge, reassigned responsibilities, and said the agency would enforce accountability, while the DG instructed new district horticulture agencies to submit operational plans.