The Lahore High Court has banned using smoke-emitting commercial generators in designated ‘green lockdown’ areas to tackle air pollution. Justice Shahid Karim, hearing petitions from citizens, including Haroon Farooq, aiming to reduce smog, ordered installing pollution control devices in commercial generators within seven days.
In a written order from the previous day’s hearing, the court emphasized that generators should remain sealed until these devices are installed to reduce harmful emissions.
Justice Karim also instructed the removal of encroachments in high-pollution areas to improve air quality and alleviate congestion-related pollution. The court praised efforts by the current government and the director general of the environment, acknowledging that these actions would benefit the environment. The written order noted the public prosecutor’s statement that supersedes had been distributed to farmers to help reduce crop burning.
Additionally, the court directed the Lahore Division commissioner to submit a report within 15 days on the operations of Kasur tanneries. The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general was instructed to implement recommendations from an inquiry on underpass renovations. The hearing was adjourned until Friday.