Copyright brecorder
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the Punjab government to launch a rigorous campaign against smoke-emitting vehicles in an effort to curb worsening smog and air pollution. The court passed this order hearing multiple petitions related to environmental pollution and the rising smog levels across the province and stressed on strict action against polluting vehicles. “If the court’s previous orders had been implemented in letter and spirit, Lahore’s atmosphere would have been clean,” the court remarked, directing the authorities to take action against anyone responsible for contributing to pollution. The court also instructed the authorities to conduct the campaign for at least two to three weeks and ensure its strict implementation. The court noted that vehicles traveling long distances, particularly from Lahore to Karachi, were a major source of air pollution. The court, therefore, instructed the agency to deploy its officers, along with police personnel, at intercity bus terminals and motorway toll plazas to check vehicles. The court also directed authorities to conduct strict inspections along the GT Road from Lahore to Multan. The court also asked the law officer to convene a joint meeting involving the environment department, the chief traffic officer, and the transport department to coordinate enforcement efforts. The court also ordered the EPA to install banners across Lahore warning motorists that smoke-emitting vehicles would be impounded. An EPA official, however, informed the court that such banners had already been placed in various parts of the city. He also informed the court that around 60 tons of old tyres had been seized from industrial plants in South Punjab and other cities as part of the ongoing anti-pollution drive. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
