Stubble burning continues unabated
Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) summoned in person the deputy commissioners of the four districts of the province over not controlling the incidents of stubble burning despite court’s order.
Justice Karim was hearing different petitions about how smog could be controlled, society could be made pollution-free and groundwater protected from wastage.
In the earlier proceedings, the court had ordered the quarters concerned to ensure the closure of those factories that had been polluting in night hours the environment with their smoke.
As proceedings commenced on Friday, the counsels representing different petitioners told the court that the government was not adopting concrete measures in controlling smog.
The court was also told that some incidents of stubble burning were being reported in the four districts. To which Justice Karim expressed his displeasure.
Meanwhile Justice Karim summoned in person the deputy commissioners of Gujranwala, Kasur, Okara and Hafizabad. Why contempt proceedings not be initiated against aforesaid deputy commissioners, the court observed. However, the proceeding was adjourned until October 18.
It is worth mentioning that the court had already directed the quarters concerned to ensure complete control of stubble burning across the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2022.