LHC orders to impose Rs50,000 fine on restaurants violating anti-smog guidelines. In a significant development aimed at curbing the escalating smog crisis, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued a directive on Friday, instructing authorities to impose fines of Rs50,000 on restaurants found in violation of measures instituted by the provincial government.
The order, handed down by Justice Shahid Karim during the hearing of a series of petitions addressing environmental concerns, also mandated the sealing of cafes failing to adhere to specified guidelines.
This judicial intervention comes against the backdrop of widespread smog enveloping various cities in Punjab, with Lahore bearing the brunt of deteriorating air quality due to heightened pollutants amid decreasing temperatures since November 2023.
As per the latest data from the IQAir website, a global air quality monitoring platform, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded an unhealthy level of 186 at 6:30 pm today.
In response to the escalating crisis, the provincial government has taken multiple measures to combat smog, including the imposition of partial lockdowns and public awareness campaigns encouraging the use of masks.
Notably, in the preceding month, the LHC had mandated the closure of restaurants and markets in Lahore by 10 pm owing to hazardous levels of air pollution.
Justice Shahid Karim, in a specific directive, urged the provincial government to enforce a daily business shutdown by 10 pm.
These concerted efforts underscore a proactive approach by the authorities to address the immediate challenges posed by the smog crisis, emphasizing public health and environmental concerns.
As LHC orders to impose Rs50,000 fine on restaurants violating anti-smog guidelines, the LHC’s latest order signals a stringent stance against non-compliance with anti-smog measures, aiming to safeguard the well-being of citizens and mitigate the environmental impact of air pollution in the region.
