In response to petitions addressing the urgent need to combat smog and alleviate the severe pollution in Lahore, the Lahore High Court has issued its verdict. Unfortunately, Lahore has gained notoriety as one of the most polluted cities in the world, primarily due to smog.
Justice Shahid Karim has put forward a strategy to reduce vehicular emissions, which includes the prohibition of vehicles emitting smoke. In an unconventional suggestion, he has also recommended that government employees consider using bicycles for their daily commutes.
Furthermore, the court has advised the government to allocate the necessary funds to support organizations dedicated to reducing smog. The Commissioner of Lahore assured the court that warnings have been issued to factories and manufacturing units in Kasoor. He pledged to conduct surprise inspections and provided updates on an ongoing tree planting awareness campaign. The court was also informed about a ban on road excavation without proper permission.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the leniency of the Environment Department officers in imposing fines, the court has firmly stated that industries failing to comply should be dismantled. The court has emphasized the urgency for the Deputy Commissioner and the police to actively engage in on-ground efforts.
Additionally, the court has temporarily approved a construction project in Babu Sabu and has declined to change the Railway Golf Club Administrator.
