LHC pulls up govt officials over rising smog, pollution

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday expressed deep concern over rising smog in the city of Lahore and remarked that officers should step out of their offices and do something about the deteriorating environment.

Justice Shahid Karim was hearing the petitions filed against the provincial government’s failure to appropriately deal with the environmental issues, particularly smog.

Commissioner Lahore Captain Retd Osman and DG Punjab disaster management Raja Mansoor appeared before the court at a short notice to answer the queries.

The court remarked that the entire city was engulfed in smog. “What steps are being taken to prevent this?” the court asked the two govt officials. Later, the court constituted a committee comprising Commissioner Lahore and DGP PDM and directed the committee to submit a plan to overcome the environmental hazards.

During the hearing, the court remarked that the Punjab government was responsible for making Lahore the most polluted city of the world.

Justice Karim reprimanded Commissioner Lahore and DG PDMA for not undertaking site inspections and instead confining themselves to their cozy offices.

DG PDMA apprised the court that smog has been recognized as a national calamity under Punjab national calamity act 1958 and measures are being taken to control it.

Justice Karim directed DG PDMA to conduct a detailed plan in coordination with Commissioner Lahore to take action against miscreants and their activities which are contributing towards rising smog and air pollution.

Representing the petitioners, advocate Sheraz Zaka argued that Lahore had become the most polluted city of the world. He argued that climate justice had now become a part of Article 9 of the Constitution in the light of judgments rendered by the superior courts.

The court will resume hearing in a couple of weeks.