LHC orders closure of smoke-emitting factories across Punjab. The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued stringent directives on Friday aimed at curbing the hazardous pollution levels in Punjab.
These instructions, following previous court orders to the Punjab caretaker government, emphasized urgent measures to tackle the deteriorating air quality.
The LHC’s directives necessitate the immediate closure of factories emitting smoke throughout the province.
The court underscored the importance of these factories providing a commitment to cease activities contributing to pollution.
Moreover, a stern warning was issued: in the event of violations post-undertaking submission, the subsequent action would involve the demolition of the non-compliant factory.
To address the concerning situation, the provincial government declared a “smog emergency” across Punjab.
As part of this declaration, the use of masks has been mandated for students in all public and private schools for a month to mitigate health risks associated with the heightened pollution.
Notably, Lahore registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 277 on Friday morning, a figure well above the safe threshold for breathing, which is considered below 50 on the scale, as reported by the global air quality monitoring platform, iqair.com.
During a hearing focused on public interest petitions related to environmental concerns, Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa appeared before Justice Shahid Karim, presiding over the case.
Commissioner Randhawa updated the court on actions taken, including instructing the traffic police to address vehicles emitting smoke.
As LHC orders closure of smoke-emitting factories across Punjab, the court emphasized the need for concrete measures to combat smog in the early months of the coming year, suggesting a reasonable two-month timeframe for implementation.
Additionally, the commissioner highlighted initiatives by the city administration to promote cycling.
Discussions with relevant authorities have been initiated to establish a dedicated cycle track, alongside efforts to secure cyclist-friendly discounts from hotels.
The court recommended engaging the private sector in these environmentally friendly initiatives.
However, Justice Karim expressed concerns about the perceived inactivity of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.
He emphasized the necessity for the authority to be proactive and responsive in addressing environmental issues, especially those related to the persistent smog problem.
The court’s proactive stance, the provincial government’s emergency declaration, and the multifaceted measures discussed during the proceedings demonstrate a concerted effort to combat the escalating smog crisis in Punjab, notably in Lahore.
These actions underscore a commitment to address the immediate environmental hazards and promote sustainable solutions to mitigate the pressing issue of rising pollution levels.
