LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday ordered the provincial government to impose a fine of Rs50,000 on the violators of the ban on crop stubble burning in addition to strict implementation of zigzag technology in the brick kiln industry.

Justice Shahid Karim passed the order hearing different petitions relating to the environmental issues, including the growing smog.

A report submitted on behalf of a court-made environment commission stated that 476 industrial units and brick kilns had been inspected to ensure compliance of the smog-related measures. Of these, it said 170 units had been sealed for greenhouse gas emissions, while cases had been registered against 66 others for flouting provincial disaster management authority’s directions.

The report further stated that cases had also been registered against 17 brick kilns and 36 others sealed for not converting the units to zigzag technology.

It said 1,108 vehicles had been impounded, while 7,875 others challaned for emitting excessive smoke. An amount of over Rs4.2 million had been recovered under the head of challans, it added.

On behalf of a petitioner, Advocate Sheraz Zaka pointed out that the sugar mills had not installed water treatment plants, resulting in discharge of polluted water.

Justice Karim directed the Punjab government to impose heavy fines on the industrial emissions across the province as Lahore had become one of the most polluted cities in the world due to smog.

The judge reminded the environmental protection agency that the court would not allow any brick kiln to get exemption from the installation of the latest zigzag technology.

He also directed the commission to assist the government to levy aquifer charges on the companies involved in exploitation of underground water.

The hearing was adjourned till Dec 10.

ADJOURNED: An accountability court on Thursday adjourned hearing of a money laundering reference due to non-appearance of Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and his son Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz.

A counsel on behalf of the duo told the court that both had been out of the jail for five days on parole to attend the funeral of Shehbaz’s mother. He said the government extended the parole of the father and the son for one day so they could receive the people visiting them for condolence.

The counsel also filed two separate applications on behalf of his clients for one-time exemption from personal appearance in the hearing.

Presiding Judge Jawadul Hassan allowed the applications and adjourned further hearing till Dec 8. The judge also sought a complete reply from the home secretary on an application of Mr Shehbaz seeking medical facilities in the jail.

On the last hearing, the judge had declared three members of the Shehbaz’s family absconders after they avoided appearance in the proceedings. They were Shehbaz’s son Suleman, daughter Rabia Imran and son-in-law Haroon Yousaf.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

PTI in disarray
Updated 30 Nov, 2024

PTI in disarray

PTI’s protest plans came abruptly undone because key decisions were swayed by personal ambitions rather than political wisdom and restraint.
Tired tactics
30 Nov, 2024

Tired tactics

Matiullah's arrest appears to be a case of the state’s overzealous and misplaced application of the law.
Smog struggle
30 Nov, 2024

Smog struggle

AS smog continues to shroud parts of Pakistan, an Ipsos survey highlights the scope of this environmental hazard....
Solidarity with Palestine
Updated 29 Nov, 2024

Solidarity with Palestine

The wretched of the earth see in the Palestinian struggle against Israel a mirror of themselves.
Little relief for public
29 Nov, 2024

Little relief for public

INFLATION, the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services over a given period of time, has receded...
Right to education
29 Nov, 2024

Right to education

IT is troubling to learn that over 16,500 students of the University of Karachi (KU) have defaulted on fee payments...