RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday sought reply from the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) within two weeks in a petition challenging construction of a restaurant at Lahore Fort, one of the heritage sites of the world.

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing the petition filed by Imrana Tiwana who said construction of the eatery in question is unlawful and tantamount to destroy the site.

She pleaded the court that use of historical fort for commercial purposes had put its conservation and beauty at stake, therefore, construction of the eatery at Royal Kitchen should be set aside for being illegal and unlawful.

The counsel of WCLA opposed the petition saying that no eatery/restaurant is being built at the site of Royal Kitchen rather conservation work was being carried out for its protection. The counsel said that no food is cooked there.

A woman representing the Heritage Foundation told the court that the matter related to conservation of Royal Kitchen is correct but there is no reference of 17th century old shape of the Kitchen which could be preserved. On it, the Chief Justice observed that “the court will not allow use of Royal Kitchen for commercial purpose”.

The CJ also observed that the authority in its advertisement had mentioned that the food would be served at the Royal Kitchen. On it, the authority’s counsel said that “the correct words had not been used in the advertisement”. The reply irked the Chief Justice who observed that “who are you to say that the words used in the advertisement are not correct.” A 15-member meeting decided these words for the ad, the CJ said. The court warned the authority that the ad would be set aside if the authority failed to come up with convincing reply.