The Supreme Court on Monday suspended the Lahore High Court’s verdict declaring the multi-billion rupee Ravi Riverfront Urban Develop­ment Project illegal. The apex court has granted permission to the Punjab government to resume work on the project.

On Jan 28, the Punjab government filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the LHC verdict on petitions filed on behalf of the farmers who challenged the Ravi Urban Development Authority's (RUDA) procedure for acquiring land for RRUDP.

A two-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, which included Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi, issued the order at today's (Monday) hearing.

The apex court allowed the Punjab government to continue work on those parts of the project where the land owners had been compensated, while the provincial government was denied permission to continue construction in those areas where the compensation has not been granted to the owners so far.

The court issued notices to the respondents in the appeal submitted by the Punjab government.

When the court asked the appellant about the intra-court appeal on the verdict, the Punjab government maintained the forum of relief is the Supreme Court.

During the hearing of the case, Justice Ahsan expressed displeasure with the provincial government's legal team as Punjab Advocate General Ahmed Awais could not respond to a question on mistake in the verdict issued by the high court.

Addressing the advocate general, Justice Naqvi remarked that the AG had come to the court without preparation.

It was also announced by the apex court that it would observe whether an intra-court appeal could be made on the decision of the LHC or not as the provincial government raised the issue that the high court could not interfere in the matter.

The respondents in the case could submit additional documents related to the case within one month, the court ordered.

The apex court adjourned the case for an indefinite period of time.