Stores given two weeks to stop using plastic bags

LAHORE:The Lahore High Court gave another two weeks time to hotels, stores and bakeries in the provincial metropolis to abandon the use of polythene bags and hinted at widening the scope of the ban to other main cities of the province in days to come. Justice Shahid Karim also directed the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to seal those outlets who did not submit an undertaking to comply with the ban. Responding to court’s query, the EPA’s counsel said the agency had its offices in all divisions; therefore, there would be no difficulty in enforcing the ban on plastic bags in other cities of the province.

The judge noted that the soon the disuse of plastic bags will be ordered in Gujranwala, Multan, Sialkot and Faisalabad.

SUMMONED: Taking up another matter relating to traffic jams during the PSL-V matches in the City, Justice Karim summoned chief operating officer of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on next hearing. The judge also issued a notice on an application by FC College, the most affected party during the cricket matches as its entire space had been used for parking purpose. When asked by the court, the college’s counsel Zafar Iqbal Kalanuri confirmed that the college was also ordered to remain shut during the matches. He also presented a directive issued by the PCB to this effect. He pointed out that the PCB had been using the college’s space for parking since 2017. The judge observed that now the PCB will arrange parking on its own. The judge directed the PCB COO to appear on next hearing along with a plan to make the PSL tournament environment-friendly.

SNGPL: On other issue of Euro-IV fuel, the judge sought a report from SNGPL. Earlier, the petroleum ministry submitted its report on conversion to environment-friendly fuel. In another matter, Advocate Salman Akram Raja submitted a progress report about registration of plastic bottle recycling company. The judge adjourned hearing until March 27.