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LAHORE, Nov 03 (APP):The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday expressed concern over the worsening air quality in the provincial capital, warning authorities to take urgent action against pollution sources.
The court also showed strong displeasure over the failure to enforce restaurant closing hours and summoned Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore, Syed Musa Raza, to appear in person on Tuesday.
Justice Shahid Karim heard the smog mitigation case, where Director General (DG) Environment Imran Hamid Sheikh and Deputy Director Ali Ijaz appeared before the court.
During the proceedings, Justice Shahid Karim remarked that the court’s actions were not meant to target any individual or department but to “guide and assist the government in combating smog.” He observed that the court had been addressing the issue for the past seven years and lamented that “had previous court directives been implemented, today’s situation would have been different.”
Highlighting transport as the leading cause of pollution, the court noted that “70 percent of Lahore’s pollution comes from vehicles,”
The court also reprimanded authorities for failing to deploy environmental monitoring teams at Lahore’s entry points and motorways despite repeated court orders. He noted that “trucks on GT Road, Ring Road, and the motorway continue to emit thick smoke unchecked.”
The court ordered immediate action against all smoke-emitting vehicles and directed the traffic police to prevent such vehicles from operating on city roads. The Transport Department was also instructed to confine smoke-producing vehicles to bus terminals.
The court further stressed the need to close commercial areas on Sundays in accordance with prior notices issued by the DC’s office. The court directed the DG Environment to identify priority sectors requiring intervention and assured full judicial support.
DG Environment Imran Hamid Sheikh informed the court that data of all heavy vehicles entering Lahore has been compiled, and from November 7, no vehicle without a valid VICS certificate will be permitted on the road. He added that 14,000 CCTV cameras will monitor traffic across the city, with a strategy already in place for taking action against violators.
He further reported that uncovered sand trolleys are no longer allowed to operate, with six environmental teams monitoring compliance. Additionally, 15 fire trucks are being allocated to the Environment Department to assist in extinguishing crop fires along major highways and motorways.
The court observed that the department lacked sufficient resources to tackle all fires independently, to which the DG responded that the new units would assist the Agriculture Department.
The court also stressed the need for water conservation while using anti-smog guns.
In conclusion, the court announced that the smog mitigation case will now be heard daily to ensure effective and timely progress. The hearing was adjourned until November 4.