Lahore High Court’s Justice Shahid Karim has directed Punjab government to ensure all public and private schools make arrangement of buses for children, otherwise they will be sealed, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Justice Shahid Karim gave these remarks while hearing case on anti-smog measures being taken by the government on Wednesday. During the hearing, Advocate General Punjab presented a detailed report in the Court and elaborated the short terms as well as long term steps being taken by the concerned departments.
During the hearing, Justice Shahid Karim remarked, “Do something for school buses, schools will be sealed if they do not arrange buses for children”.
LHC judge told the government to ensure that all commercial area, markets should be closed by eight o'clock throughout the year. Justice Shahid Karim also remarked that entire credit was being given to air, but tell the court all the officers present here which steps they have taken for controlling of the smog.
During the hearing, LHC Judge remarked that “Islam advises us to waking up early in the morning and go to bed early at night, but we are working against it”, LHC added that, “We should have a cultural change.”
Advocate General Punjab told the court that the government has demolished number of plants which were making carbon by burning plastic tyres. The AGP assured the court that within next 10 days, all such plants will be shut down. Justice Shahid Karim expressed satisfaction on the actions taken against such plants.
AGP also told the court that cases have been registered against elements who were found burning their crops residue. On this Justice Shahid Karim remarked that Court has already ordered that the deputy commissioner of the area should be changed where crop residues are burnt. Justice Shahid Karim said Lahore Waste Management (LWC) had been directed not to sprinkle water on the roads from six to ten in the morning, as this is school time, but perhaps government had not issued a notification in this regard.
Justice Shahid Karim also directed the government all anti-smog measures should not be kept within Lahore rather all steps should be adopted across the province. LHC Justice further remarked that “policies and rules need to be made to curb smog, tomorrow you and we will not be here, but policies will continue.”
LHC Justice Shahid Karim put off the case hearing till November 22.