LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday expressed concern over increased level of smog in the provincial metropolis and directed the government to consider closing schools from Dec 20.

       During the hearing of petitions regarding environmental issues, an official of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) told the court that higher consumption of grilled fish and BBQ with the onset of cold weather was one of the reasons for causing pollution and smog.

       He said the markets and restaurants should be ordered to be closed early.

       Justice Shahid Karim, however, turned down the suggestion to close the BBQ eateries early and asked the authority to find some other solution.

       The judge directed a provincial law officer to take up the matter with the government to consider commencing winter vacation in schools from Dec 20.

       He also directed the relevant authorities to continue action against violators of traffic rules and seal brick kilns for not depositing fines as ordered by a judicial commission.

       Earlier, petitioners’ counsel Azhar Siddique and Sheraz Zaka submitted that climate change had become a great threat to human life and if not dealt with revolutionary actions, the future generations would face disastrous consequences.

       Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2021