The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered the Punjab government to act against those involved in stubble burning, one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and climate change, 24NewsHD TV Channel reported on Friday. 

While hearing a case on smog, the court ordered the Punjab Chief Secretary to write a letter to the Deputy Commissioner to take action against those who burn crop residue. DC of the district will be held responsible where stubble burn gets reported, he added. 

A number of farmers clear their agricultural fields by burning the straw that is left after harvest so fields can be made ready for seeding the following spring.

Hearing the case, Justice Shahid Karim also summoned the Chief Executive Officer of Lahore Parking Company in his personal capacity for the upcoming hearing on the issues of unrestrained parking in the city. 

The LHC also ordered LDA to take concrete steps to end encroachment from the city and ordered to fine Rs 2000 over illegal parking.

The court also ordered strict action against steel mills causing pollution in the city

Justice Shahid Karim also expressed displeasure over traffic problems and increasing commercialization in the city. 

The court also summoned the Chief Town Planner LDA for the next hearing. 

A report has also been sought from DG Walled City Authority on legal constructions within the city. 

The court directed the Pakistan Cricket Board to make a comprehensive traffic plan for the matches of the players in the coming days

The Judicial Water and Environmental Commission submitted an implementation report on court orders. The Member Judicial Water and Environmental Commission told the court that steel mills in the city are the main cause of pollution. 

The court ordered environment secretary to take strict action against steel factories as per law.

He added that there are many legal complications in the law of commercialization of LDA. These legal complexities of LDA can be made workable after appropriate amendments, he added. Laws related to this should be presented at the next hearing. Justice Shahid Karim. The court ordered that big hotels, shopping malls and other institutions should install water re-process plants to prevent wastage of water. 

The court adjourned further hearing of the case for a week. 

Earlier, Justice Shahid Karim ordered a fine of Rs50,000 over stubble burning in the province and instructed authorities to take action against people who set fire to the crops.