LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC), while hearing a petition against authorities’ failure to control smog, on Thursday restrained the Punjab government from transferring Lahore Commissioner Captain (retd) Usman Younis for at least two months.

Justice Shahid Karim commended the performance of the commissioner on smog awareness measures and suggested that the help of experts from abroad could be sought to control the toxic air of the city.

“You did a very important job. I watched videos related to your work on smog prevention,” Justice Karim said to the commissioner. It is commendable that you have removed the encroachments, he added.

Read more: LHC advises Punjab govt to impose lockdown in Lahore to control smog

On the other hand, the commissioner told the court that it was not easy sealing the polluting factories but it was possible due to the bench’s order.

The court also lauded the LDA after the agency’s lawyer told the court that 2,000 challans had been issued to violators of building rules and strict measures had been taken to stop encroachments.

On a court query, PDMA additional director informed the court that the air quality index had dipped to 114.

The court will resume hearing on the issue on December 14.