LAHORE — August 6, 2025 — The Lahore High Court (LHC) has sent a strong message to authorities pushing for urban development: build all you want, but not at the expense of the city’s trees.
During a hearing on ongoing environmental petitions Tuesday, Justice Shahid Karim made it clear that while the court isn’t opposed to infrastructure expansion, it draws the line at deforestation.
“Trees are non-negotiable,” Justice Karim said, underlining the judiciary’s growing concern over Lahore’s environmental future. “Only trees can help fight the climate crisis.”
The remark came in the context of the proposed Yellow Line mass transit project, which would run along Canal Road—a green corridor already stressed by previous development.
Project Still in Planning, Trees Already Tagged
Advocate General Punjab, Amjad Pervez, presented a progress report from the Punjab Transport and Mass Transit Authority. According to him, the project’s planning document (PC-1) hasn’t been finalized yet, and the entire initiative remains in the study phase.
The provincial transport secretary added that the study is being conducted with help from NESPAK (National Engineering Services Pakistan). Notably, NESPAK has already geo-tagged existing trees along the proposed route and developed a mobile app to track them—an indication that environmental concerns are being considered, at least on paper.
Court: Development Yes, But Not at Nature’s Cost
Justice Karim acknowledged that the government is taking some positive steps in urban development, but emphasized that environmental safeguards cannot be compromised.
“Felling trees is no less than a sin,” the judge said bluntly. “The court’s concern is singular: protect the trees.”
In a city like Lahore, which has seen rapid urban sprawl and declining green cover, the court’s stance signals a potentially significant shift in how development projects will be scrutinized moving forward.
The hearing has been adjourned until August 8, with the court expected to review further details on the project’s environmental impact.
Context: Lahore has witnessed several clashes between development initiatives and environmental concerns in recent years. Canal Road, in particular, is a battleground where urban growth meets ecological fragility. With this ruling, the LHC is laying down a precedent: progress cannot come at the cost of environmental regression.
