Time to step up: CJ orders emergency if smog exceeds 300 index

Punjab govt responsible for environmental negligence and not taking preventive measures on time

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah directed the Punjab Government to strongly implement the action plan and impose emergency in those cities where smog levels exceeded the 300 index in future.

In his nine-page verdict, the CJ held the Punjab government responsible for environmental negligence and not taking preventive measures on time. He remarked the people suffered heart attacks, lung diseases and breathing problems due to the smog. He added the government did not take any serious steps to control the deteriorating situation in the province.

“It is regrettable that government departments, including environment, wasted their time in analysing the data of pollution rather than taking concrete measures against smog,” the CJ remarked. The verdict also stated that it was the responsibility of the court to protect the lives of citizens under Article 7.



He further directed the Punjab government to submit its final plan within three months after strictly implementing the initial smog action plan which had been submitted to the court. The CJ said the draft should also be reviewed for further improvements. He further directed the environment department to publish statistics on the smog and pollution on their websites on a daily basis. Meanwhile, proceedings were adjourned by December 18.

The CJ was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Sheraz Zaka against environmental pollution and smog.  Sheraz Zaka submitted that smog had caused serious health problems for the public. He added that the masses also had no pure drinking water and now the air was also difficult to breathe. The lawyer added the smog had even affected the animals.  He urged the court to order the Punjab government for take effective measures to control pollution and enforce a smog policy to protect the environment.

The first wintery showers lashed parts of Balochistan a day on Tuesday and brought much-awaited respite to the smog-hit plains of Punjab, where the thick toxic cloud has paralysed the routine lives of people.



According to unofficial data, the toxic smog was 30 times the limit and had disrupted flight operations.

According to experts, people in Punjab could not see the sun for weeks. This adversely impacted not only on people’s health, but also Punjab’s agricultural sector.

They termed this year’s smog as one of the worst extreme weather events, caused by climate change, faced by the history.

Meanwhile, a senior official at the Pakistan Meteorological Department told The Express Tribune: “From now onwards, people living in Punjab will be able to breathe fresh and clean air.” He said smog will subside after the rainy spell followed by a drop in temperature in the country.

“Now there are no chances of smog in the country as rain has washed away all the dust particles suspended in the atmosphere.” He added these particles formed a thick cloud of toxic particles and the farmers in India were also done with burning their crops. “Foggy condition will still prevail.”

“This rainy spell is beneficial for winter crops as it will provide moisture and water to the crops,” he said. “Despite chances are there that Pakistan will continue to experience water scarcity in the season.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2017.