Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Shahid Karim has reprimanded missing officials of the Punjab Government while also alluding to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman’s absence from the city.
He remarked that the court ordered all kinds of construction work to be stopped for two months, yet it has not been implemented. “Educational institutions are closed, so why are construction sites not being closed,” he asked.
The court questioned WASA’s Senior Legal Advisor Advocate, Mian Irfan Akram, along with the officers and lawyers of the relevant departments.
During the hearing, Justice Shahid Karim said that the Deputy and Assistant Commissioners should go out on roads to perform their duties. He further remarked that the CCPO and DIG should also look for measures being imposed when they go out for work.
The Punjab government submitted a report regarding the measures that have been taken so far to tackle smog before the court. The provincial government’s lawyer said that officials in the administration will go and inspect the lorry and truck stands themselves. He informed the court that three major terminals on the busy Bund Road have been closed. Meanwhile, 400 vehicles were checked.
The Judge then questioned the officials about the vehicles that were inspected and their condition.
The lawyer replied that 42 vehicles failed the inspection. However, he defended the government by saying: “All the Deputy Commissioners of Punjab will be informed to conduct these inspections, but because it was Sunday, the Secretary of Transport could not issue instructions.”
To this, Justice Shahid Karim expressed his disappointment and said, “What are you talking about? Look at the situation outside. Every minute is very important. I am ready to hear this case even on Sunday.”
The court further remarked that despite the seriousness of the matter, the transport department did not even come to hear the court proceedings.
The lawyer of the Punjab Government went on to explain that operations were conducted at three bus stands in Lahore while action was taken against 60 exhaust-emitting buses.
Justice Shahid Karim reprimanded the absent Deputy Commissioner Lahore asking could he not work on a Sunday.
One of the members of the Judicial Commission present inside the court said that simply stopping the buses on the roads is not the solution; rather, the buses should not be allowed to leave the bus stand.
Justice Shahid Karim remarked that while the city is battling with smog, “the people responsible are not present in the city.”
Alluding to Chief Minister Punjab’s jibe at the court on the provision of bikes by the government, he said, “I don’t want to go in the details but when the court ordered against government’s policy of providing bikes, some people in the government made fun of it. Do you now have an answer to this.”
The court also expressed anger at the Advocate General Punjab who was not present in the court today, “This is the most important matter, he should have been in the court today, I am very disappointed.”
The court, while talking to the Punjab government’s lawyer, said that you convey my displeasure to them.
Justice Shahid Karim asked what is the procedure for checking the vehicles at the bus stand. Advocate Punjab Government said that vehicles are checked for smoke emission. Justice Shahid Karim remarked that no one from the transport department is in the court, and Advocate General Punjab is not present in the court. “Is this how the government is taking the matter seriously,” the court asked.
The court recounted that it had been giving orders regarding smog for two years. “The government departments have failed to take steps to control smog as it has worsened in the past two months.”
Additionally, the court remarked, “When you announced the bikes, and I passed the order, then everyone just talked. Now go out and see the situation.”
The court asked about the Chief Secretary of Punjab, who is in Geneva.
Therefore the court remarked that where is the acting chief secretary is and how the province is being run.
Justice Shahid Kareem identified that construction is going on in many places in Lahore, which is the main cause of smog. Schools have been closed, construction would have been closed, is there any order that the deputy commissioner will do? Or there is no such order with respect to the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner.
In his final remarks, Justice Shahid Karim said that the government should impose duties on DCs and ACs across Punjab and ask them to leave their offices. “Has the government issued any notification that if the vehicle is not in good condition, it will be fined Rs.1 lac.”
He added that a fine of 1500 to 2000 rupees will not change the situation, the necessary measures and notifications should be taken by the government, the government should think seriously to stop the construction.
The court made it a point to mention that “I was hopeful that the current government would do better in this regard, but their actions are not enough. I am not giving any orders; I just want to see what the government does. A decision has to be made regarding construction immediately.”
The court adjourned the hearing till November 12 after seeking reports from various departments.
