Copyright pakobserver
LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday proposed strict measures to combat worsening smog in the provincial capital, including a possible one-day weekly closure of commercial activities to help improve air quality. Justice Shahid Karim heard petitions filed by Haroon Farooq and others related to smog control, while the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore appeared before the court in compliance with an earlier order. Expressing concern over the deteriorating air quality, the court observed that immediate and stringent steps were necessary to protect public health. Justice Karim remarked, “One suggestion is to close all commercial activities on Sundays for at least a month. This is my personal view, but we may have to enforce such a measure for four weeks or more.” The judge further directed authorities to closely monitor marriage halls, ensuring that all events conclude by 10 p.m. and that the one-dish rule is strictly enforced. Although not directly linked to environmental issues, the court said, compliance with all relevant regulations was essential. Justice Karim expressed displeasure over the lack of enforcement of official timings for markets, questioning, “Why is the 2023 notification still not being implemented?” The DC Lahore informed the court that, under the existing notification, markets must close by 10 p.m. and restaurants by 11 p.m. The court also stressed that traffic flow should not be obstructed even for five minutes anywhere in the city and allowed the deputy commissioner to leave after issuing the directions. In addition, the LHC instructed the Environment Department to ensure that motorbike squads remain active for continuous patrolling and that inspections of three-wheelers and rickshaws continue without interruption. Justice Karim, expressing frustration, noted that these efforts should have begun months earlier. “This should have started three months ago. Now the damage has already been done,” he remarked. The court also took serious notice of ongoing WASA construction projects, stating that prolonged excavation and scattered dust across the city were worsening pollution levels. “How can smog guns work effectively when the entire city is dug up?” the judge questioned. The bench further asked why the Environment Department had not imposed fines on WASA and LDA for violating environmental safety measures. “WASA left massive pipes on roads for six months, causing accidents. Is this an acceptable procedure?” the court observed. The LHC directed responsible officers from WASA and LDA to appear before the court on Wednesday and ordered WASA to submit detailed reports of all its ongoing projects. WASA’s counsel requested time until Friday to furnish the required details, upon which the court adjourned further hearing of the smog control case until Friday.
