By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: Thousands of shopkeepers and residents along Circular Road, Lahore, have appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, seeking urgent intervention to stop the proposed demolition of over 7,000 shops and residential properties under the Lahore Heritage Development Program (LEHER).
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In a heartfelt letter addressed to the Supreme Court, Haji Tahir Naveed, Chairman of the United Action Committee representing affected traders and residents, warned of a looming humanitarian and economic crisis if the project moves forward without proper consultation and resettlement plans.
The LEHER initiative aims to redevelop the Circular Road area into an “Old City” heritage site. However, traders say this would displace more than 70,000 people, stripping them of their only means of livelihood. “This market has existed since 1908, with generations of shopkeepers and residents contributing to Lahore’s economy and culture,” the letter states.
While the committee does not oppose the development and beautification of the city, it argues that urban transformation must not come at the cost of human dignity and survival. “Pakistan is already facing severe inflation and rising unemployment. Forcing families out of their shops and homes without a clear rehabilitation plan would only worsen the economic challenges,” Tahir Naveed said.
The traders urged the Chief Justice to take suo moto notice of the situation and direct the concerned authorities to immediately halt the demolition drive. They demanded a transparent and inclusive approach to any redevelopment initiative, ensuring that the livelihoods and rights of current occupants are protected.
The petition concluded with a call to protect not just property, but the future of thousands of families who have lived and worked on Circular Road for generations.
