Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered a complete ban on commercial activities across the city on Sundays as part of efforts to curb smog. The court also directed the Punjab government to ensure strict enforcement of the 10pm deadline for wedding halls and other commercial establishments.
Justice Shahid Karim issued the directives while hearing multiple petitions related to environmental pollution and smog on Tuesday. Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Musa Raza and other government officials appeared before the court to brief it on the measures being taken to address the worsening air quality.
During the hearing, DC Raza informed the court that a notification had already been issued to close markets and restaurants by 10pm. The document was presented before the court for review.
Justice Karim, however, observed that issuing notifications alone was insufficient and stressed the importance of strict implementation. He said that the purpose of these restrictions was to mitigate the impact of rising pollution levels, which continue to worsen Lahore’s smog crisis.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating air quality, the judge reiterated that immediate and decisive measures were needed to protect public health and the environment.
WASA’s counsel, Mian Irfan Akram, informed the court that the city’s sewerage system was being upgraded to improve overall infrastructure. The judge directed WASA to submit detailed reports and timelines of its ongoing projects before the next hearing.
In addition, the court ordered that a director-level officer from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must attend each hearing to ensure regular updates on progress and compliance.
The directives form part of the LHC’s ongoing efforts to push for effective implementation of anti-smog measures in Lahore, where worsening air pollution continues to pose serious health and environmental challenges. Lahore High
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