Staff Reporter
A bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday sent a petition against shutdown of brick-kilns to the Punjab Environment of.
The court directed the secretary environment department to review and act on the plea according to the law. A bench comprised of Justice Ayesha A. Malik heard the petition of brick-kiln owners, who had challenged the government’s decision to shutdown their businesses to control smog.
The counsel of brick kiln owners argued that the government’s decision of closing brick kilns increasing unemployment.
The petition sought the court decision to declare the government’s brick kiln shutdown notification as void. The bench sent the petition to the provincial secretary of environment to look into the matter and decide it according to the law. The court in hearing of the case yesterday said that “It is our collective responsibility to take steps for addressing the smog problem.”
“Several brick kiln owners have submitted affidavits that they would close their businesses until December 31,” Justice Malik said. “How can you oppose those who had stated on oath for shutdown of brick kilns,” the court asked.
