LAHORE: A division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) sought more arguments from the Punjab government regarding protection of historical monuments falling on the route of Orange Line Metro Train project. The bench comprising Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh and Justice Shahid Karim directed the provincial government counsel to come today (Tuesday) for assistance. The bench was hearing a number of petitions moved on behalf of the civil society organisations and members including IA Rehman, Kamil Khan Mumtaz, Neelam Hussain, Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation, Judicial Activism Panel and Lahore Bachao Tehreek. During the hearing on Monday, petitioners’ counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique pointed out that the government so far had failed to protect the monuments coming in the way of OMT project. He said that the measures taken for protection of the historical monuments were not enough to safeguard the city’s heritage. He said that the international organisations had shown their reservations on preservation of these buildings, adding that even the public procurement rules had also been violated during the project. The provincial government counsel said that the petitioners’ objections were misconceived, as international standards were maintained at sites near historical monuments. He assured that these buildings were prestigious and would be protected at any cost. The bench sought further arguments from the government. On January 28, the bench stayed the construction of OMT at eleven historical monuments including Supreme Court Lahore registry, Shalimar Gardens, Chauburji, Saint Andrews Church, General Post Office, Mehrunisa Tomb, Budhu ka Awa, Baba Mauj Daria Tomb, Shah Cheragh Building, Awan-e-Auqafand and Dai Anga Tomb. Meanwhile, prayers for activist and Philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi were held in Lahore High Court on Monday. The judges, officers and staff of LHC and its allied benches at Multan, Bahawalpur and Rawalpindi offered Fateha for the departed soul and paid rich tribute to him for his everlasting humanitarian services.