LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday ordered the Punjab caretaker government to issue a notification to private offices to allow employees to work from home for two days a week as a measure to control smog.

Government offices should also adopt the same policy if possible, Justice Shahid Karim observed while expressing dissatisfaction that the government had earlier ignored court recommendations in this regard. The judge issued the direction while hearing petitions seeking anti-smog measures.

A judicial commission earlier infor­med the court that whenever they attempted to take one step forward the government pushed them 10 steps back. The commission members apprised the court that a letter was written to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on the development of a smog app. However, it said the PDMA forwarded the matter to the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).

Environment dept

Advocate Hina Hafeezullah, a commission member, questioned the performance of environment department, pointing out discrepancies in the issuance of challans to industrial units. She said of the 114 sealed units, 37 were ‘unsealed’, though one unit had been sealed 12 times.

Judge tells complaining café owners to ‘quit the business’ if they wish, but not to threaten the court

The judge ordered the authorities not to unseal any industrial unit until it submitted an affidavit.

When the commission member said there were reports about legalising motorcycle-rickshaws by the transport department, Justice Karim suggested upgrade of technology in this regard. He observed the government had been targeting the business community to hide its incompetence.

Sealing of cafes

Representing restaurants’ association, a lawyer expressed concern over “sealing of cafes without a notice”.

A commission member said cafe owners did not submit affidavits. It was suggested that police be ordered to take action against officials involved in unsealing of cafes without undertakings.

The judge warned those not observing time restrictions would be permanently sealed. The judge instructed the cafe owners to submit affidavits by Dec 19.

Justice Karim clarified that no one was told to close their businesses and those who follow the instructions and SOPs would not be shut down.

The lawyer for the restaurants said they were not generating revenue due to the time restrictions. He said if the café timing was curtailed, their owners would leave the country.

“Leave if you want to but do not threaten the court,” the judge warned the lawyer who later tendered an apology for his statement.

The judge later adjourned the hearing till Dec 19.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2023