Lahore: During the hearing of the petitions in connection with eradication of smog, Lahore High Court (LHC) has expressed grave concern over closure of roads and traffic disruptions during Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches.
Justice Shahid Karim of LHC took up for hearing the petitions filed by citizen Haroon Farooq and others Thursday.
The court remarked PSL takes place every year. But traffic is halted for hours on every movement which cannot be ignored.
PHA presented rules regarding the transplantation of the trees in the court during the hearing of the case.
The court directed Judicial Water Commission (JWC) should review these rules and if necessary it should include recommendations for further improvement.
The court stressed that non-local trees are proving harmful for the environment of Lahore.
The report on chopping trees in Punjab University (PU) was presented during the hearing of the case.
The report said JWC visited under court's orders and the new trees have been planted therein wherefrom they were chopped. .
Justice Shahid Karim while giving remarks said deaths rate will rise world wide due to intense warmth as per report of university of Chicago. The apprehension of occurrence of one among every three deaths in Pakistan has been shown in the report. Punjab will be most affected province in this regard which is highly alarming.
The court further said that as per an other global report environment pollution was recorded in Pakistan more than any other country last year.
Emission from the vehicles rises due to traffic closure during PSL matches. This leads to fuel smog and the whole year's hard work is wasted within one month.
The court remarked most of the environment pollution is being caused by the vehicles. Traffic is halted for one hour several times in a day which is deteriorating the situation.
The court urged the government to take serious steps on this issue.
The court also ordered to seek directives from World Wild Life Fund (WWF) regarding trees.
The court while calling implementation reports from all respective government departments on next hearing has adjourned the hearing of the case.