LHC seeks compliance report on sealing factories

Court considers contempt notices for environment department

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court's (LHC) Justice Shahid Karim has called for a compliance report by December 4 regarding the sealing of non-environment-friendly factories that were previously de-sealed. The court's directive includes closing cafes in Johar Town by 10 pm, with an extension to 11 pm on weekends, and authorities are instructed to seal any cafes found violating this deadline.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the environment department, Justice Karim held the department responsible for environmental degradation and warned its Director General that they may face consequences if there is no improvement.

Justice Karim was addressing various petitions related to controlling smog, making society pollution-free, and protecting groundwater from wastage.

As proceedings began, Justice Karim questioned which units were de-sealed

Read LHC suggests tough condition for de-sealing factories

The lawyer representing the Judicial Water & Environmental Commission informed the court that the environmental tribunal had de-sealed the factories.

Expressing displeasure, Justice Karim remarked that the environmental department's actions violated the court's orders, and he intends to issue contempt notices to its officers.

In response to the court's query about the actions taken, the director general of the environment department stated that he had asked each officer to identify who de-sealed the factories.

Justice Karim responded by stating that no officer from the department could de-seal the factories, suggesting that the court should be approached for de-sealing purposes.

Justice Karim also expressed dissatisfaction with the on-going construction projects of the caretaker government, questioning the government's keen interest in these projects, which are visible throughout the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2023.