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Curbing smog: LHC asks govt to submit notification of 3-day closure of schools tomorrow

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  • LHC orders govt lawyer to submit notification tomorrow.
  • Elahi announces to impose environmental emergency in Lahore.
  • Says smog is disastrous for health.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday sought a notification from the Punjab government tomorrow (Wednesday) for the closure of schools for three days weekly due to the worsening situation of smog. 

The directives were issued by the court during the hearing of a case related to pollution and smog in Lahore and other Punjab cities. 

During the hearing, the court ordered the Punjab government’s lawyer to submit a notification regarding the closure of schools tomorrow. 

On the last hearing, LHC Justice Shahid Karim observed that the provincial government seemed non-serious to curb smog.

Regretting that the smog had been increasing instead of eliminating, the judge directed the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to make rules to enhance punishment on the brick kilns and industries for violating the laws and policies.

“A brick kiln or a factory should not be sealed but demolished on committing violations,” the judge had recommended

The judge had observed that the smog had been causing health complications among the citizens and sought a report on the amendment or improvement in the existing rules to deal with the industrial sector.

Smog emergency

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi announced to impose environmental emergency in Lahore and other cities to deal with the situation of smog. 

The chief minister said that smog has been declared disastrous and ordered to effectively implement the plan to reduce the smog. 

“Action should be taken to control those factors that are causing smog,” said CM Elahi, adding that failure to implement the standard operating procedure (SOPs) to reduce smog will not be tolerated. 

The chief minister also announced a ban on stubble burning, saying that action will be taken against those caught burning the crops residue. 

CM Elahi said that action will also be taken against the vehicles emitting smoke. He added that the anti-smog squad will constantly check the smoke-emitting vehicles in the city. 

“The anti-smog squad will also check the vehicles at the entrance of the Lahore city,” said the chief minister. He added that the farmers will be provided with a modern harvester called “Hepper Seed” to dispose of crop residues. 

The chief minister said he has issued directives to transfer all brick kilns to zigzag technology. He also ordered that the environment, agriculture, industries and transport departments should conduct an anti-smog campaign continuously for three months.

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Forecast: rain and thunderstorms for Punjab, KP, and other regions of the nation

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In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Punjab, Islamabad, and north Balochistan, rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms are predicted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Over the next 24 hours, the Met Office predicts that there will be isolated areas of heavy rainfall in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir, while dust storms are anticipated in the country’s southern regions.

In upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, moderate to heavy rains may cause landslides and impact vulnerable areas between the evening of March 29 and the morning of March 30.

Lightning, hail, and windstorms can harm loose objects like solar panels, cars, power poles, and standing crops. It is essential that farmers and tourists exercise caution during this time.

The synoptic situation indicates that a westerly wave that is affecting the country’s western and upper regions is probably going to stay there through March 31.

Over the course of the previous day, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, north Balochistan, upper and central Punjab, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan experienced rain, wind, and thunderstorms. In other regions of the nation, the weather was partly cloudy.

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Elections

Plans are being finalized for the April 2 Senate elections.

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As ballots are being printed, the final preparations are being made for the Senate elections that are set on April 2.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sources that state that printing presses in Islamabad and Karachi are producing the ballot sheets.

According to the sources, ballots for the Senate elections are being printed in four different colors.

According to ECP officials, green ballot paper would be used for technocrat seats and white ballot paper for general seats.

Likewise, ballots for the minority and women’s seats would be yellow and pink, respectively.

On April 2, 48 Senate seats are up for election. The National Assembly and each of the four province assembly will host polling places.

In the meantime, the Punjab Assembly hall has been designated as a Senate election polling place. According to a notification from the Speaker, the polling would take place from 9 AM to 4 PM.

On April 2, voting for the seats reserved for women, minorities, and technocrats would take place in the Punjab Assembly polling place.

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The prime minister reorganizes the Common Interests Council.

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The Council of Common Interests has been reconfigured by Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif.

Additionally, the notification to this effect was released following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s consent.

The announcement states that the foreign minister, rather than the finance minister, has been included in the CCI for the first time in the nation’s history. Prime Minister Sharif will preside over the eight-member Council of Common Interests.

The announcement stated that the four chief ministers would be members of the CCI. Ishaq Dar, the foreign minister, has been admitted to the CCI.

The notification states that Safron Minister Engineer Amir Muqam and Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif will also be on the CCI. Commencing on March 21, the Council of Common Interests has been constituted.


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