While hearing a case regarding smog eradication, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Friday allowed to keep the hotels open from Iftar to Sehr during the month of Ramazan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The court directed to form a special committee to control heatwave, and it also upheld the ban on cutting trees in the city.

The court ordered Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to activate filtration plants in the city, and it also sought a report from WASA about the filtration sheds.

“Lahore will not survive without taking the industry away from the population. Lahore’s master plan is not enough in the current situation,” LHC judge Justice Shahid Karim pointed out.

The court expressed satisfaction over the approval of the Smog Rules. The Member Environment Commission submitted a report on the court orders.

“Who will activate filtration plants?” Justice Shahid Karim questioned during the hearing of the case.

“WASA will do it, and its report will be submitted at the next hearing,” lawyer for the WASA told the court. “Not just report, but work is also required,” Justice Shahid Karim emphasised.

“Have you seen the master plan of Lahore?” he inquired from the representative of the Urban Unit.

“Not yet,” he replied. “[Then] you should see the master plan of Lahore. The condition of Lahore cannot be controlled with the current master plan. Roof gardening is necessary in the city,” the LHC judge said in response.

“No tree should be cut,” Justice Shahid Karim said to the director general of Environment Protection Department.

“Every transplanted tree will be replaced with 10 trees,” lawyer for the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) told the court.

“Rs50 million sanctioned for the purchase of Super Seeder machines,” the Punjab government’s lawyer also informed the court.

The LHC adjourned further hearing of the case till March 31 next.

Reporter Malik Ashraf