SC suspends LHC’s decision of scrapping Ravi Riverfront project

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday suspended the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision that declared the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project (RRUDP) unconstitutional, Bol News reported.

The apex court in its short verdict today allowed the government to continue development work on the land it has already acquired. It has also allowed the government to continue planning for the project, however, it added that the government is not mandated to work on the land that has not been monetarily compensated to the farmers.

The SC has issued notices to all respondents of the case. The judge remarked that the court will see whether the case warrants an intra-court appeal or not, and if it does, the case will be referred back to the LHC.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan maintained that the high court cited the verdict of the United State’s courts, however, Pakistani and American constitutions and ground realities differ from each other.

RUDA counsel maintained that the housing societies were the petitioners in the high court. At this, the court remarked that the conflict of interest on part of the housing societies was eminent.