Floating Restaurant on Lahore Canal Faces Legal Challenge

A group of citizens has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court challenging the construction of floating restaurants on Lahore’s canal, according to a report by 24News.

The petition, submitted by Dr Ijaz Anwar and other residents, names the Punjab government, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), and other departments as respondents.

The petitioners argue that the canal represents Lahore’s historical and cultural heritage and that introducing commercial activities along it violates environmental regulations as well as laws protecting national heritage.

They contend that the floating restaurants could disrupt the natural flow of canal water and contribute to environmental degradation. The petition states that pollution levels have already increased due to the project and warns that the restaurants could encourage illegal construction and encroachments along the canal banks.

The petitioners have asked the court to declare the construction of floating restaurants unlawful. They have also requested an immediate halt to all construction activity until the court issues a final ruling on the matter.