LHC orders all TV channels to air smog awareness campaign

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday ordered all TV channels to air smog awareness campaign. 

A single bench of the LHC, comprised of Justice Shahid Karim heard the petition seeking to overcome smog. 

During the hearing, Justice Shahid Karim remarked that the name of Punjab government will not be mentioned in the smog awareness campaign. “Smog awareness drive will be run especially for the public welfare. We all have to work together against smog and then the good results will come out,” he said. 

The court also directed Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDM) in Punjab for providing content regarding smog awareness campaign to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). 

The LHC also rejected Lahore mayor’s plea to fine motorcyclists less than Rs2,000 for one-way traffic violation. 

In the plea, the Lahore mayor stated that If the daily income of a rickshaw rider is Rs700, then he is unable to run home affairs due to Rs2000 challan. “A woman was fined for traffic violation on the canal. She was crying and said to me that she had not even Rs200,” it added.

“As a public representative, I request that the fine for motorcyclists be reduced from 2,000 to 500,” the Lahore mayor said. To reply, Justice Shahid Karim asked that why didn’t this woman think when her son was violating one way traffic violation. 

The court also expressed satisfaction over LDA's crackdown against encroachments and ordered to present the Pakistan Super League (PSL) traffic plan on Thursday.