The Lahore High Court (LHC) recently directed the commissioner of Lahore to organize a meeting with relevant stakeholders to discuss closing all commercial activities in the city by 8 p.m. for the next 15 days. Justice Shahid Karim also suggested that businesses remain closed on Sundays for two weeks, with a possibility of an extension based on the situation.
During a weekly hearing on environmental issues, Justice Karim expressed serious concerns about the worsening smog. He noted that government measures so far are inadequate to tackle the smog problem.
The judge instructed the advocate general of Punjab to involve stakeholders, department secretaries, and police officials to address the issue. Heavy traffic, especially trucks carrying construction materials after 11 p.m., contributes significantly to pollution, according to the judge. He emphasized the need for strict action against vehicles emitting smoke.
Justice Karim ordered the deployment of regular police, Dolphin Force, and traffic police to identify and impound smoke-emitting vehicles. He directed the transport department to inspect buses and trucks for proper maintenance and fitness, banning any unfit vehicles from the roads.
The judge also requested the involvement of the Ring Road Authority and the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) to inspect vehicles at toll plazas on M-2 and other motorways. Any vehicle found emitting smoke would be impounded.
Additionally, Justice Karim proposed limiting wedding events and capping the number of attendees to further reduce pollution. He requested detailed reports on these actions by November 11.
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