The story of the Orange Line Metro Train is one of countless blatant violations of the law, deceiving the public, and getting what you want by hook or by crook.

Last year, a petition was filed by Kamil Khan Mumtaz in the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the construction of the Orange Line within 200 feet of 11 heritage sites. As a result, a stay order was issued to stop the construction until further notice.

There was a lot of outcry on social media against the construction of Orange Line when it began

The reaction from the Punjab government was very defensive and Chief  Minister Shahbaz Sharif said no historical places will be harmed

He alleged that it was propaganda by opposition parties to derail the government’s plans.

However, a two-member commission constituted by the LHC found violations at five of the 11 heritage sites in June where construction on the Orange Line Metro Train had been stopped.

These heritage sites are protected by the Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance, 1985 and Antiquity Act, 1975. Since laws in our country are only texts in the constitution and abiding by it is against the norm set by the ruling elite; our government refused to stop construction near the heritage sites as ordered by the LHC and challenged the decision in the Supreme Court (SC).

People disputed the Punjab Government’s claims by presenting evidence of how the Orange Line was indeed obstructing lives

Here is a short documentary capturing the plight of people after the construction of Orange Line started, it shows interaction with those who live and work near the construction sites:

https://www.facebook.com/thenationdaily/videos/10153875924256712/

Individual organizations have also been complaining about the construction – particularly Lahore Bachao

https://www.facebook.com/evie.soup/posts/1388120034619024

After the Supreme Court verdict to allow the construction of the Orange Line, a verdict which was pending since March this year – there is a huge outcry on social media against allowing the metro train to be constructed over Lahore’s history

https://www.facebook.com/evie.soup/posts/1430805313683829

Lawyer Azhar Siddique also commented on the factual errors and misrepresentation of the case by the Government, in the Supreme Court

https://www.facebook.com/evie.soup/videos/1431227970308230/

With a population of 1.13 million, Lahore desperately needs a better transport system. There is no denying that the building of roads and a public transport system is what this hub needs at the moment. However, the destruction of heritage sites is something which needs to be considered. People, who are protesting, are not against the idea of development – rather the idea of losing history as we develop.