The Lahore High Court (LHC) has also announced that winter holidays will be extended in schools till January 10 as a measure to control the increasing smog crisis in Punjab.
Justice Shahid Karim is hearing the case about smog control measures. The Chief Advocate General Punjab, Khalid Ishaq, and members of the Judicial Commission have been giving him reports on those matters. Reports about a bus depot ripping an ugly patch of trees near Township came up in the course of the proceedings. Justice Karim was furious over the issue.
Previously, the court had ordered an end to tree cutting in these sites. Advocate General Ishaq explained that the Forest Department had informed the EPA about the trees existing at the depot and had sought permission for their removal.
However, cutting was termed unauthorized by the Pakistan Horticulture Authority (PHA). The counsel for the PHA denied the allegations stating that the trees were merely pruned. Justice Karim was not satisfied and asked for accountability, warning that no such activity could take place without prior approval at all. He ordered the issue to be referred to the Chief Minister for immediate action and threatened criminal proceedings against the PHA if the issue persisted.
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The LHC stated that more strict control would have to be imposed on construction activities, for example, allowing it only on two or three days a week.
Winter vacations in schools are extended also until January 10 for the hazardous air quality and have been mentioned to have been similar measures as implemented last year.
The hearing was adjourned to December 6 during which government officials were to bring to court a detailed report of the incident about tree-cutting and other activities that strengthen the war against smog.