LHC directs govt to frame permanent policy for water conservation

LAHORE:The Lahore High Court Friday expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) regarding water shortage and demanded a response on the drought report.

Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC heard petitions regarding smog and environmental pollution and remarked that if the court must handle everything, the PDMA should be shut down. He directed the government to take immediate steps and establish a permanent policy for water conservation, emphasising that the absence of snowfall this year has created an alarming situation.

The court advised the government to declare a water emergency without delay and stop wasting water through pipes, even mentioning that the High Court's courtyard was washed with piped water.

The judge noted the decreasing groundwater level and questioned why no houses of 10 marlas or more have been built with water recycling plants, despite longstanding promises. In response, a Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) lawyer stated that they were working on installing water meters, starting with commercial buildings and later at private residences.

During the hearing, a member of the Judicial Commission highlighted the issue with car showrooms, where cars were washed daily, consuming a significant amount of water. He suggested increasing their tariffs.

Rehabilitation of PSIC’s Cluster Centres discussed

Director General Engineering & Minerals (E&M) Division-II/Punjab Region-II, Khalid Rasool Friday paid a visit to the Head office of the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) at Lahore. The DG (E&M) called on the PSIC Managing Director and Regional Directors and discussed the rehabilitation of PSIC’s Cluster Development Centres (CDCs) for the development of auto parts, furniture, sports goods and textile machinery located at

Lahore, Multan, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Daska and Sialkot regions, and Metal Processing Zone, Gujranwala. The MD PSIC commended proactive initiative of TDAP engaging with PSIC for Engineering Sector development.