‘Amendments made after consultation with stakeholders’

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Secretary Environment Protection Punjab Salman Ijaz revealed on Wednesday that amendments have been made in the smog policy after the consultation of all stakeholders and the same has been sent to the cabinet for approval.

He directed all the departments concerned to appoint their respective focal person during the upcoming smog season.

A high-level meeting was held in the committee room of Environment Protection Department under the chair of Secretary Environment Protection Salman Ijaz.

The meeting was attended by Director General Environment Protection Irfan Nazir, Director Environment Protection Naseem-ur-Rehman Shah, officers from agriculture, transport, forest and other concerned departments along with representatives of brick-kilns association.

The meeting reviewed the performance of different departments to coping with the expected situation of smog.

He directed agriculture department to ensure the ban on fire of residue of rice crop. He said that stern action would be taken against those responsible for creating environment pollution. He further directed the health department to establish special desks in all hospitals during the smog season.

He directed the Directorate General Public Relations to launch a comprehensive campaign for the awareness of general public. He further said that strict actions would be taken against brick-kilns responsible for smog after 30th September.