LHC takes stern measures to combat smog crisis

Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court has issued directives for law officers to present instructions from relevant authorities regarding the implementation of a work-from-home policy twice a week in private offices.

This move is aimed at curbing smog, as part of ongoing hearings addressing petitions on smog control, pollution-free societies, and the protection of groundwater from wastage.

The courtroom atmosphere escalated when a lawyer, representing cafes and restaurants, responded to Justice Karim's comments about the possible permanent closure of cafes.

The lawyer stated that cafe owners might consider leaving the country in response to such closures. Justice Karim sternly warned against misleading the court, emphasising that if such misleading persists, cafes could face permanent closure.

"We would have no option except leaving for abroad," argued the lawyer.

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Justice Karim, unyielding, cautioned against making threats and promptly ordered the lawyer to leave the rostrum.

In the proceedings, a representative of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) informed the court about efforts to collaborate with 14,000 farmers to prevent stubble burning in the upcoming smog season.

Concerns were raised about the inability to plant fresh trees due to thousands of dead trees on Lahore's canal road.

Advocate Sahabzada Muzafar Ali, representing the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), argued that 15 cafes were de-sealed despite previous court orders against it. He claimed that the court had mandated no cafe should be de-sealed without its explicit order.

Justice Karim questioned the reasons for sealing these cafes, to which Ali responded that they had violated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The proceedings were adjourned until the upcoming Tuesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2023.