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The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday instructed the Punjab administration to initiate a broad, province-wide initiative targeting vehicles that emit smoke in an effort to address the deteriorating smog and air pollution.

Justice Shahid Karim issued the instructions while considering several petitions related to environmental pollution and rising smog levels in Punjab. Highlighting the importance of taking firm measures, he directed officials to launch a rigorous campaign spanning at least two to three weeks, with a specific focus on long-haul vehicles traveling from Lahore to Karachi, which he pointed out as significant sources of air contamination.

Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Parks and Horticultural Authority (PHA), and additional departments attended the court hearing. However, Justice Karim voiced disappointment at the lack of a director-level representative from the EPA, despite previous directives.

The court additionally directed the EPA to put up banners throughout Lahore, indicating that vehicles emitting smoke would be seized. An EPA representative told the court that these warnings had already been put up in various areas of the city. Justice Karim also instructed the agency to deploy officers, together with police staff, at intercity bus stations and motorway toll plazas to examine vehicles and carry out rigorous inspections along the GT Road from Lahore to Multan.

“If the previous court rulings had been followed sincerely, Lahore’s air would be clean today,” Justice Karim stated, calling on officials to take responsibility for those causing pollution.

Furthermore, the court directed the law officer of the Punjab government to organize a combined meeting with the environmental department, the principal traffic officer, and the transportation department to align enforcement activities.

At the hearing, an EPA official stated that around 60 tons of used tires had been seized from industrial facilities in South Punjab and other regions as part of the continuous anti-pollution initiative.

Lahore has continued to be one of the most polluted cities globally in recent weeks. As per the global air quality tracker IQAir, the city had an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 177 on Friday – categorized as ‘unhealthy’ and standing at fifth worst worldwide.

Earlier in the week, the LHC also voiced worries about the administration’s insufficient handling of the smog issue, casting doubt on the efficiency of anti-smog devices and the ongoing felling of trees. Justice Karim explained that the court’s measures were aimed not at punishing officials but at assisting the government in properly addressing the environmental crisis.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).