LHC censures Punjab minister for commenting on smog proceedings

The Lahore High Court took strong exception to the Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari’s remarks about its order barring the government from distributing electric and petrol-run motorcycles to students.

Justice Shahid Karim passed the refraining orders during the previous hearing on multiple identical petitions related to combating smog and other environmental hazards.

Addressing a press conference after the restraining orders, the information minister remarked that the policy-making ‘is the mandate of the executive and it doesn’t need dictation from any other quarter’.

At today’s hearing, Justice Shahid Karim expressed his displeasure over the remarks of the Punjab information minister.

 “The ministers have a lot to say and there is no need to speak on the matter of smog case,” Justice Shahid Karim said.

“Punjab Information minister passed remarks on the court proceedings.  The minister has no idea what she is talking about.

“Just tell her not to comment on the matter,” Justice Karim told the govt lawyer.

The judge directed the Punjab government to frame the motorcycle distribution policy while keeping in mind the environmental issues.

Justice Karim said that at the last hearing, there was a discussion about the lights in the city.

“The amount spent on lighting could have been spent on planting trees to step environmental pollution,” he stressed.

“Visit Emporium, LDA Avenue and Liberty where trees have been planted on court orders.”

Justice Shahid Karim said there was a discussion about the distribution of motorcycles in the last hearing.

He added: “There is no parking space in Lahore. Millions of motorcycles are being added. Students must be given buses and not motorcycles and If you want to add to the policy, give them electric bikes.”

AG Khalid Ishaq assured the court that no minister will pass such remarks. The court put off the hearing till Friday.