LHC hints at sealing motorcycle-rickshaw factories

LAHORE:The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday hinted at sealing motorcycle-rickshaw factories while hearing petitions seeking reduction in smog, says a Geo report.

Justice Shahid Karim said weather conditions were changing. “In April, we have faced three types of severe weather conditions. In April, you had to face severe heat, severe rain and severe hail. We have to find a permanent solution for this”, he remarked.

The judge said there had been a protest on the road for several days. “Talk to them”. Assistant Advocate General Punjab said dialogue was being held with the protesters. The court expressed its displeasure over the traffic jam caused by the protest on Mall Road and said protests and negotiations do not mean the entire city should be closed.

The judge said they should be moved to somewhere else. “Protests do not mean you should block the roads. The closure of one road affects the traffic of entire city”, he noted.

CTO Azhar Waheed told the court a request to ban rickshaws had been sent to the Home Department. The judge said he was stopping the licenses of rickshaw manufacturers. They should ensure implementation of transport laws within three months, otherwise they would be sealed, he said.

Chief Traffic Officer Azhar Waheed said rickshaws were causing deaths of people. Justice Shahid Karim said Punjab government’s lawyer should give a 3-month notice to the rickshaw manufacturers. “It is very important to ban illegal rickshaws. A summary should reach chief minister next week”, he directed. The court said traffic problems had increased due to protesters. “Traffic jams for 10 minutes increase pollution many times. Intensity of heat wave will increase in the coming days”, the judge observed.

The CTO Lahore told the court 10 people had died in rickshaw accidents, to which Justice Shahid Karim said it was very important to control the rickshaws.The court said, “It is necessary to stop the rickshaws, otherwise they will spread throughout the city”. The companies, manufacturing rickshaws, should be closed, and a report about the summary sent to chief minister in this regard should be submitted in the next hearing, the court said. The CTO, while presenting a report on action against beggars, said there was a need for legislation regarding beggars. Justice Shahid Karim said the court had been saying for a long time permanent legislation was very important. The court adjourned the hearing of the case until April 25.