Reply sought in Indus River course change case

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah Thursday issued notice to the Punjab government on a petition challenging the action of changing the Indus River course in Mianwali. 

The chief justice ordered the government to submit a written reply to the petition till July 31.

Petitioner Abu Zar Naizi alleged that the Irrigation Department on command of the ministers changed the river course. He said there was no need for this action. He said due to change of river course, more than a thousand houses would be demolished and number of people would deprive of their dwelling places.

He said it would also destroy the rich agriculture land and would take away the farmers source of income. He said police tortured the people who were protesting against this unjust decision. He sought directions to the government to withdraw the decision of changing river Indus course.