The Lahore High Court on Wednesday allowed a sugar mill to file a fresh petition before its Multan bench against the ban on the cultivation of tall crops, including sugarcane, in the districts of Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur.
The matter was heard by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum following a petition filed by JDW Sugar Mills, which is owned by senior politician Jahangir Khan Tareen.
The company had challenged notifications issued by the deputy commissioners of both districts that imposed restrictions on the cultivation of tall crops in the Katcha areas, citing security concerns.
Tall sugarcane crops are often considered a security issue in riverine and Katcha belt areas because their height and dense growth can make surveillance difficult and may provide cover in law and order operations.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, senior lawyer Shahzad Elahi, argued that the ban had been imposed separately in both districts and requested that the case be heard at the principal seat in Lahore.
However, the chief justice directed that the matter be taken up by the Multan bench, while allowing the petitioner to challenge both notifications there.