LHC annoyed at govt performance over smog issue

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday expressed annoyance over the Punjab government for failing to take concrete measures to curb the menace of smog in the province.

A LHC bench headed by Justice Mamoon Rashid directed the relevant government departments to furnish their detailed replies and warned that it would call Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar if it found their response unsatisfactory. The court also sought details of tree cutting in the Changa Manga area for widening the roads. As hearing commenced, the court showed displeasure over submission of vague replies by the provincial authorities. A government lawyer informed the bench that as many as 36 government departments had been working together to curb smog and improve air quality. About 3,000 brick kilns have been shut across the province.

To this, Justice Rashid said this court and his staff were evident to the fact that brick kilns had not been shut in Multan region.

“The 36 departments are the reason that measures are not being taken to curb smog,” he said, adding until a single person or institution was entrusted with the responsibility, there won’t be any progress.

The air quality index points to an alarming level of pollution throughout the year in the country, why do the government departments swung into action in November, the LHC judge questioned. The court deferred the hearing and sought comprehensive replies for the government departments.