The Lahore High Court on Friday allowed private sector employees to start work from home for two days per week, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
While hearing the case relating to curbing smog, the LHC said private officers were directed earlier by the court to work from home for two days but this order was not followed.
Justice Shahid Karim said that if the government employees can work from home to curb smog then the private employees should also be allowed to do the same. He ordered the government not to deseal the industries till the satisfaction of the commission set up to check the pollution.
Members of Environmental Commission, Syed Kamal Haider and Hinan Hafizullah Ishaq, appeared in the court and informed that they had written a letter regarding the ‘Smog Saans App’ (smog breathing app) to the PDMA.
Member of Environmental Commission PDMA has forwarded the matter to the Punjab Information Board. Member Environmental Commission told that they wrote the letters according to the orders of the court. He further said that the commission has inspected the whole system of PDMA.
Upon knowing this, Justice Shahid Karim said that Punjab Information Technology Board is discharging its duties to some extent but PDMA is doing nothing in this regard.
Member of Environmental Commission said that the Environment Department is doing nothing in the matter, saying they have been asked to provide the copies of challans but they hesitate to provide these copies. However, he further said that they have received the details of some challans from the department. He said that the record regarding challans of the department is conflicting.
Representative of Environment Dept informed the court that they have sealed only those units for which they had the permission. Upon inquiry by Justice Shahid Karim, he informed that they have desealed 57 units. The justice ordered the representative of HE HA not to deseal any unit until they don’t file an affidavit. Member of the environmental commission informed that they don’t allow the desealing of any unit until it provides the affidavit as well as the copy of fine. Desealing of unit is allowed only after installation of relevant gadgets.
PDMA Director Ameer Ullah Khokhar informed the court that thousands of trees fell down but they are not replaced with new ones because of their non-removal from the site. He said only ever green plants should be planted.
Member of Environmental Commission said that the three-wheelers (Qingqi Rickshaws) which don’t fulfil the required legal criteria are being banned. Upon knowing this, the justice said that technology should be upgraded, adding that the transport department is carefully viewing the matter.
Advocate Ali Safian Faiz that cafes, which follow the official closing timing, are being closed down without serving any notice. Justice Shahid Karim said that those cafes which don’t follow the official timing would be closed down permanently. “Seal them permanently, we will move to other countries,” the lawyer said. This lawyer remark infuriated the court which said this remark is unacceptable to the court. “I will order the DIG to arrest the ones who deseal the cafes,” Justice Shahid Karim remarked. The justice asked the member of Environmental Commission that if the commission had received the affidavits of the owners of the sealed cafes, upon which, he replied that they had not received the affidavits yet. The justice ordered the member of Environmental Commission to submit the affidavits of the owners of sealed cafes till Tuesday. Only law-abiding shops will be allowed to continue work, he said.
A lawyer informed the court that the government does not bother to consult the traders regarding the closure of shops.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case till December 19.
Reporter: Malik Ashraf