Staff Reporter
The Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered on Friday that flight operation be restored at the Lahore Flying Club, Walton Airport.
A single bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi gave this order after a government counsel informed the court that eight to 22 weeks are required to prepare a report on the relocation of the airport and related infrastructure.
The petitioner, a firm that runs a flying school at the airport, said the flight operation was suspended following a notification issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Pilots and other staff were suffering due to the suspension of the flight operation, it added.
On May 25, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had notified permanent closure of Lahore’s oldest Walton airport.
In a notification, the CAA has directed all flying clubs to ground their planes as the airport would be permanently shut down for all operations from tomorrow.
According to CAA officials, a business hub would be constructed at Walton airport’s place.
During his recent visit to Lahore, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that de-notifying of Walton airport will turn the adjacent areas into an economic hub.
The commercial activities will rise up to Rs6,000 billion after de-notifying the airport.
Meanwhile, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Mohammad Ameer Bhatti banned the use of social media for the Punjab judiciary.
In a notification issued after approval of LHC Chief Justice Ameer Bhatti, the use of social media for the spread of content related to the judiciary has been restrained by terming it against the code of conduct of the judges.
The judges have been advised to communicate in legal matters through the Lahore High Court Registrar Office and immediately leave the non-governmental WhatsApp groups.
The use of social media for communication of legal issues is against the prestige of the judges and departmental action would be taken against those judges who were found violating the orders, the notification read.
Such messages are spread and displayed in print and electronic media without any proof of the credibility of said messages and no judicial officer should be doing so through any of the social media means, especially with reference to the judiciary.
The LHC CJ has directed the judicial officers to restrict their social life and avoid using social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and others.
