Conversion of cotton areas into sugar plantations: LHC directs Punjab govt to submit report

The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the Punjab government to submit a report on the conversion of cotton growing areas into sugar plantations by December 27.

Hearing petitions about government's failure to control smog, the court observed with a great concern that cotton growing areas had been converted into sugar plantations resulting in depletion of underground water level.

The court further observed that Pakistan was going to face water crisis due to vested interest of sugar barons.

The court summoned heads of the Lahore Development Authority and Parks and Horticulture Authority on next hearing to apprise the court of precautionary measures taken in plantation of trees in Lahore.

The court also sought a report about pollution and environmental degradation in Sahiwal due to coal power plant.

Earlier, a law officer told the court that motor vehicular emission regulations had been formulated and on next hearing report regarding its execution would be submitted.

He further stated that the chief minister and his cabinet were conducting a meeting on the implementation of smog policy and closure of brick kilns which failed to convert on zigzag technology. Representing the petitioners, Sheraz Zaka and Azhar Siddique questioned the failure at the part of the government to take timely steps to control smog and other environmental hazardous.