LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought a report from the Punjab government about progress on legislation about measures to control dengue fever and also directed it to constitute a committee of senior doctors on the matter.

Justice Anwaar Hussain was hearing a public interest petition filed by Judicial Activism Panel’s chairman Advocate Azhar Siddique.

The lawyer contended that the court had directed the provincial government in 2014 to introduce legislation to enforce permanent measures to control dengue fever. He said the fever was once again spreading in the province due to insufficient measures taken by the government.

He argued that the lives of the citizens were at stake as the government failed to create awareness among the masses and to ensure free facility of CBC tests at all hospitals.

The lawyer stated that every year the government filed a report in the court only to show its performance and no concrete steps had been taken to eliminate the dengue virus permanently.

The judge adjourned further hearing till Sept 9 and directed the government to submit a progress report showing steps taken to control dengue. He also directed the government to constitute a committee comprising senior doctors to look into the delay in the legislation.—Staff Reporter