ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) Tuesday directed Deputy Commissioner Chakwal to shut down tube wells of private cement factories near National Heritage of Katas Temple Pond in Chakwal Distinct, immediately.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib while hearing the suo moto notice also barred lower courts from hearing any litigation in connection with drying out of Temple.
The bench ordered the Punjab govt to bring details of practical steps being taken for restoration of the temple till next hearing. Furthermore, the court raised the question about absence of idols in Hannu Ram, Shri Ram and Katas Raj Temples.
Chief Justice remarked that cement factories in the area were destructive and inquired names of the factories that were located near the temple.
Counsel for the Government of Punjab told the court that Bestway Cement Factory Chakwal, Ghareeb Wall Factory and DG Khan Cement were among the factories near the temple.
Meanwhile the counsel for Evacuee Trust Property Board alleged that former chairman Asif Hashmi was responsible for the current situation adding that Hashmi during his tenure earned millions of rupees from corruption and then flee from the country.
Subsequently the bench seeking detail report adjourned further hearing of the case till December 13.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken Suo Moto Notice of drying out of National Heritage of Katas Temple Pond.
The pre-historic fabled pond is said to be drying out because of huge amount of water consumption in cement factories.
The factories are reportedly sucking water through more than hundred drill bores, which have severely reduced the subsoil water level.
That is beside the position that owing to absence of proper water supply for the local areas of Katas Waulah and city Choa Saidan Shah, almost every home is sucking the water by boring.
The problem is accuted by un-reasonable plantation of eucalyptus trees in the region.
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