UNESCO's approval to Metro Train project design: Punjab government accused of continuously misleading people

Civil society representatives on Wednesday alleged that the Punjab government was continuously misleading the people regarding approval of the Orange Line Metro Train project design by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
While addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, representatives of the Lahore Conservation Society (LCS) and Pakistan Civil Society Forum IA Rehman, Maryam Hussain General Secretary LCS Imrana Tiwana, advocate Mirza Mahmood, Saima Khawaja and Muhammad Tahseen informed media that the Pakistani delegation had even lied to the world community over construction of Orange Line project during UNESCO World Heritage Committee's 41st session held in Poland this month.
The World Heritage Centre/UNESCO has clarified its position in a letter dated 10th and 12th July 2017 addressed to over 60 human and cultural rights organizations in Pakistan. The UNESCO letter by Director of the World Heritage Centre Mechtild Rossler states that the adopted decision of the 40th session of committee 'expressing its serious concern over the development of the Orange Line Metro remains valid'.
The letter states 'It goes without saying that no work should be carried out within the section of the Shalamar Gardens until the reactive monitoring mission has been carried out and until the visual impact study has been submitted and reviewed by the (WHC) advisory bodies'. The committee requested the state party to immediately undertake studies related to the setting of the gardens which should be taken into account when proposing an enlargement of the property's buffer zone. "I hope that this letter clarifies any misunderstanding the Decision 41 COM/&B.96 might give".
The government's representatives informed media that UNESCO and WHC had endorsed the Punjab government's stance on the basis of Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), vibration report and other research studies about Orange Line Metro Train Project.
Talking to media, IA Rehman said the Punjab government not just betrayed the WHC members but also betrayed the nation. He said this was far necessary to make vibration impact assessment of the project and an independent mission could be allowed to monitor the construction work. "Government still have time to make the vibration impact assessment of the project, otherwise the monument of Shalamar Garden would be included in endangered heritage list," he added. Maryam Hussain said there is in no endorsement of the project by UNESCO, nor is it in any way a declaration by UNESCO that no damage will be caused to the heritage of Lahore as stated by government representatives to the press.
On the contrary, it reminds Pakistan of its obligations to the convention and its commitment to extend the protective 200 buffer zone where construction of the Orange Line is currently stayed by the Lahore High Court judgment. The UNESCO retains its serious concern about damage to the Outstanding Universal Value of Shalamar by the Orange Line, and states that no construction should be permitted in the Shalamar Buffer zone prior to assessments made by UNESCO experts.
The PCSF, LCS, Rasta Badlo and lawyers condemned the government representatives including the Advocate General Punjab for deceiving the UN on behalf of the Pakistani people, and for misleading the Pakistani people about the UNESCO verdict on the Orange Train in order to push through a project regardless of the legal or ethical obligations of their office.