UN Asks Pakistan To Stop Construction Of Orange Metro Line
Experts at United Nations urged Pakistani Officials to halt construction of Orange Metro Line in Lahore since it poses a threat to a large number of protected heritage sites and historical buildings. Furthermore, it raised concerns on possibility of numerous people being forcibly evicted without any appropriate resettlement plan.
UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, stated, “The Pakistani authorities must take all necessary steps to secure the right to an adequate standard of living including housing and cultural rights as defined in international human rights laws and standards recognized by the country.” The route is said to pass through several historical and culturally significant sites such as pre-partition buildings, historical tombs, shrines and great gardens etc. Due to lack of information regarding the proposed project it has become difficult to ascertain as to why there are no alternative routes or means of construction that will help prevent forced evictions without compensation, largely against people who do not have the means to find alternative housing, and the destruction of cultural areas.
