LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has ordered the closure of markets across Punjab at 8 PM to help reduce smog and air pollution. The court made this decision during a hearing related to smog and environmental pollution, which was presided over by Justice Shahid Karim.
The case was filed by Haroon Farooq and other petitioners. During the hearing, the court also banned the entry of buses and trucks into Lahore city. It directed the authorities to take necessary steps to stop the movement of large vehicles like trucks and trailers in the city.
Justice Shahid Karim pointed out that trucks and trailers are major contributors to smog and pollution. He ordered that Dolphin Police and other officers be deployed to control this heavy traffic. He also stressed that the government had been instructed on multiple occasions to take action against the pollution caused by vehicle emissions.
The court raised concerns about why buses and trucks, which had already been notified, had not been stopped yet. Justice Karim suggested that imposing fines of Rs 50,000 on these vehicles could help control the issue.
He questioned how vehicles could be allowed to operate on roads without proper fitness certificates, and instructed the Transport Department to take immediate action.
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Justice Karim further stated that it seemed the government was not taking the court’s orders seriously. He emphasized that the court was taking these steps to support the government. However, he said the government would only act if it faces enough pressure.
The court also noted that the local administration should assess the smog situation during the night. It directed the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lahore and the Commissioner to personally inspect the situation after dark.
Justice Karim mentioned that the court did not want to issue orders that would be difficult to enforce, referring to the failed implementation of wedding-related rules, such as the one-dish policy, which lacked proper measures to control crowding.
The court has also ordered the implementation of a work-from-home policy, the closure of markets at 8 PM throughout Punjab, and the closure of markets on Sundays. Additionally, vehicles emitting heavy smoke will be banned from entering motorways and ring roads.
Justice Shahid Karim remarked that the smog situation had reached an emergency level. He added that these measures would not control smog within one year, but their effects would be visible within five years. He also pointed out that China had successfully reduced pollution through similar measures.
