LAHORE: In accordance with the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) orders, Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi summoned a high-level meeting on Nov 3 to address the issue of smog and gave relevant directives.

According to a report presented to the LHC, the meeting was attended by Punjab Advocate General (AGP) Ahmad Awais, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police and other officials.

AGP Awais informed the chief minister and participants of the LHC’s decision in a smog-related matter. He emphasised the urgency of the situation in terms of air pollution and encouraged adherence to court decisions in order to mitigate the threat of smog.

The chief secretary informed the meeting that high management level meetings with the secretaries of environment, industries, transportation, local government and energy, as well as the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, were held on a regular basis.

He also told the meeting that the commissioners and deputy commissioners in the province were kept up to date on court orders and that compliance was strictly enforced.

The environment secretary also provided a report on efforts being done to manage air pollution and smog in accordance with court rulings.

According to the report, the chief minister, after conducting a thorough evaluation of the situation, asked the departments to guarantee that all court orders were followed in letter and spirit. The chief minister directed the environment department to take the necessary measures to engage representatives of civil society in inclusive decision-making and strengthen the drive against air pollution and smog.

Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC had directed AGP Awais to apprise the chief minister of the seriousness of the smog and other environmental issues. The judge was hearing petitions filed by Haroon Farooq and others on multiple environmental issues, including air pollution.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2022