LHC begins hearing on smog prevention petition

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Shahid Karim is hearing petitions related to smog and pollution prevention today. The petition was filed by Haroon Farooq and others.

Law officers including Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) Senior Legal Advisor Mian Irfan Akram appeared in the court today. Officers from other departments including the Environment Department were also present during the hearing.

Also read: Punjab government installs Smog Clean Tower in Lahore

The court asked about the actions taken so far regarding the fitness certificates of buses. “Has a policy been made regarding school buses?” the court asked.

The Punjab government’s lawyer responded that measures have been put in place regarding school buildings and buses.

“Why was the extension of the continuation of schools granted without taking any steps?” LHC justice asked, adding, “Why was the court order to start buses for 50 per cent of children not implemented?”

The LHC remarked that Secretary Schools violated court orders.

The hearing is currently in progress.

Punjab govt’s anti-smog measures so far

The Parks & Horticulture Authority Lahore (PHA) issued a Green Master Plan against smog and air pollution. Under this plan, the PHA will plant 15 million plants in the city, PHA Director General said.

PHA submitted the city’s first Green Master Plan to the Punjab government, which included 10 million plants to be planted by PHA nurseries, and five million plants to be planted by horticulture directors.

The plan also included geo-tagging of trees in urban forests, parks, green belts and highways.

Additionally, the provincial authorities in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has also introduced “Regreen Lahore” app. Officers and related staff in all zones have also been assigned tasks regarding the mobile app.

Action against smog

As per Thursday’s updates by Punjab Police spokesperson, four cases related to action against smog were registered and three lawbreakers arrested across the province.

Moreover, fines of more than Rs800,000 have been imposed on 417 lawbreakers, while 32 warnings have been issued.

326 violations of vehicles emitting excessive smoke, and two violations of crop residue burning were reported, the spokesperson informed.

Also read: Interior minister meets WB Country Director, anti-smog measures on agenda

A total of 3,504 suspects in the anti-smog crackdown have been arrested so far in 2024, while 3,954 cases have been registered. The spokesperson also informed that warnings have been issued to 8,138 people, 48,188 people have been fined over than Rs113.7 million, and 2,123 crop residue burning violations have been registered. Additionally, 40,970 violations of vehicles emitting excessive smoke were reported, Punjab Police Spokesperson said.

Moreover, 385 violations of industrial activities, 1,481 of brick kilns, and 367 of other places were reported. Challans were issued for 4,400 vehicles emitting excessive smoke, while 345 vehicles were stopped in police stations.