The international human rights watchdog said the Lahore High Court ruled that the Ravi River project was unconstitutional and urged the authorities to reform colonial-era laws that grant the government broad powers to acquire land for private as well as public use.

The  Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project was initiated by then-Prime Minister Imran Khan in August 2020, claiming it would address Lahore’s many problems – pollution, sewage, water, housing, and employment.

In a statement, Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said: “Punjab provincial authorities have harassed and threatened area farmers to deprive them of their homes and livelihoods.”

“The authorities need to ensure that government projects minimize displacement and loss of income, but also minimize environmental harm and flooding risks,” she added.

According to the statement issued by the HRW, environmental groups have also raised concerns that the project’s proposed changes to the flow of the Ravi River could significantly increase the risks of flooding.

It also said the authority had interviewed 14 farmers who were threatened or evicted. It also pointed out that authorities have criminally charged more than 100 farmers with resisting or refusing to hand over the land they occupied.

News Desk

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