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  LAHORE: Cities across Punjab were illuminated with decorative lights and religious-themed displays as the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) arranged special decorations to mark Eid Milad-un-Nabi, filling public spaces with festive and spiritual displays. As part of its annual celebrations, the PHA installed illuminated signs, decorative structures and religious motifs across all 21 districts under its administrative jurisdiction. Public parks, green belts and other prominent locations were decorated to reflect the religious significance of the occasion while adding a festive appearance to major urban areas. In Lahore, the authority carried out extensive arrangements, including the installation of specially designed billboards and religious-themed displays. Digital campaigns were also launched along important city routes, particularly The Mall and Gulberg, where illuminated decorations attracted public attention. Similar arrangements were made in several other major cities of Punjab. Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Khushab and Rahim Yar Khan were among the cities where parks and public spaces were decorated with colourful lighting and religious artwork. Illuminated domes, Islamic calligraphy, floral arrangements and other decorative features were used to create a festive atmosphere in honour of Eid Milad-un-Nabi. PHA district offices were also decorated with lights and buntings, giving government buildings a distinctive green appearance associated with the sacred occasion. The decorations were prepared ahead of the celebrations, with horticulture teams working to ensure that the installations were completed on time. PHA Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid described the celebrations as a significant honour and blessing. He said the authority had begun preparations several weeks before the occasion, with its horticulture and field staff working extensively, including overnight, to complete the arrangements. The celebrations were accompanied by discussions on the future administrative and financial direction of the authority’s newly established district agencies. During a separate meeting, Director General Javaid instructed the district agencies to prepare individual revenue-generation plans aimed at improving their financial sustainability. The initiative is intended to help reduce the agencies’ dependence on government funding while allowing them to generate resources according to the economic potential of their respective areas. The meeting reviewed the operational performance of the district agencies, administrative arrangements and progress in organisational development. Officials highlighted the importance of establishing financially sustainable institutions capable of meeting part of their expenses through locally generated revenue. Javaid directed the agencies to identify potential sources of income within their districts and develop strategies according to local commercial conditions. He stressed that all revenue-generating activities must remain within the relevant legal and regulatory framework. According to the PHA chief, Punjab’s districts have different economic and commercial characteristics, meaning that a uniform revenue model may not be suitable for every area. He said agencies should instead develop plans based on the opportunities available locally. For instance, districts with substantial commercial activity could generate revenue through the regulation of outdoor advertising. Other districts may have greater opportunities to lease underutilised government land or develop public-private partnerships for the construction, operation and management of parks. The PHA leadership said the objective was to create stronger and more financially independent district institutions while continuing to improve public parks, green spaces and horticultural services across Punjab. The Eid Milad-un-Nabi decorations and the accompanying administrative initiatives reflected the authority’s efforts to combine public-space beautification with longer-term institutional development.

Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has overturned a 16-year-old Supreme Court ruling concerning land acquisition and claims for additional compensation, delivering a significant judgment on the legal rights of landowners. A three-member bench headed by FCC Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan announced the decision on review petitions challenging the Supreme Court’s 2010 majority judgment. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah were also members of the bench. The 47-page judgment, authored by Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, held that parts of the Supreme Court’s earlier decision in the Sadaqat Ali Khan case were not legally sustainable. The court ruled that a landowner who accepts compensation without raising an objection cannot subsequently claim additional compensation. It also held that a landowner who fails to file a reference within the prescribed legal period cannot later seek additional compensation. Another important finding was that landowners who were not parties to earlier proceedings cannot automatically claim the benefit of higher compensation awarded to other landowners through court proceedings. The Federal Constitutional Court observed that the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 provides a comprehensive legal framework for land acquisition and determination of compensation. Anyone seeking additional compensation must follow the procedure established under the law. According to the judgment, once the prescribed period for legal proceedings expires, the award issued by the Land Acquisition Collector becomes final. Courts cannot use their powers to bypass mandatory statutory requirements. The court further clarified that the principle of equality under Article 25 of the Constitution cannot eliminate statutory limitation periods or mandatory legal conditions. Similarly, the power to do complete justice cannot be used to create a new legal right that does not exist under the relevant law. The Supreme Court’s 2010 majority ruling had extended the benefit of additional compensation to certain landowners who were not parties to the original proceedings. The National Highway Authority chairman and other authorities subsequently challenged the ruling through review petitions. The Federal Constitutional Court accepted the review petitions filed by the concerned authorities and also allowed related civil appeals. Decisions of the Peshawar and Lahore High Courts concerning additional compensation were consequently set aside, while the original orders of the Land Acquisition Collectors and other competent authorities were restored. However, Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah’s additional note clarified that additional compensation already paid in good faith under the earlier judgment cannot be recovered. Recovery would not be permissible where the money was obtained without fraud, misrepresentation or an unlawful method. The ruling could have significant implications for future land acquisition and compensation disputes by emphasizing statutory procedures, legal deadlines and the finality of compensation awards.