Punjab govt sumbits policy in LHC to curb pollution, smog
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LAHORE: The Punjab Government on Monday submitted a policy to the Lahore High Court regarding steps to curb the pollution and smog.
A provincial law officer, on behalf of the provincial government, submitted the policy to LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah who was hearing petitions filed by Shahzal Burki and others in connection with last spell of thick smog that engulfed Lahore and other parts of the province for many days, affecting people, especially the children.
The law officer informed the court that Punjab Chief Minister had approved the smog policy. He submitted that the policy underlines the need for planned urban and industrial developments besides greening of industrial processes to curb the smog. The policy also suggests that the smog was a regional phenomena and the federal government should take up the matter with India, he added.
He said the policy also recommends adoption of EURO-II standards for vehicular emission, installation of catalytic converters on all vehicles, better traffic management and steps to control burning of municipal waste and crop residues.
But, petitioner's counsel Sheraz Zaka pointed out that the staff deployed in order to implement environmental laws and multilateral agreements had not been regularised despite the LHC order.
However, the chief justice appreciated the smog policy and adjourned the matter till April 24. The chief justice directed the office to fix all the interconnected petitions regarding regularisation of staff along with this petition on next date of hearing.
The petitioners had expressed concern over weather condition of smog in parts of Punjab, in November 2016 and submitted that it had inherent health hazards like breathing ailments and eye infection.
They submitted that increased industrial activity and urbanisation were major causes of pollution in the city.
They pleaded the court to inquire from respondents regarding remedial measures taken to address prevailing condition of dense smog. (APP)
