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The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed authorities to launch a strict enforcement campaign to protect Lahore air quality by ensuring that no smoke-emitting vehicle enters or operates within the city for the next two weeks. The court barred such vehicles from accessing Lahore through the motorway or any other route.
During a hearing on petitions related to environmental pollution, Justice Shahid Karim noted that vehicles traveling between Lahore, Karachi, and parts of Sindh are contributing heavily to deteriorating Lahore air quality. He added that enforcement efforts must include the Grand Trunk Road, which is a major route for commercial transport.
EPA Told to Strengthen Monitoring
The court also instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to expand its operations beyond central Lahore and deploy monitoring staff at all entry and exit points. The EPA has been ordered to submit its duty rosters to the court and maintain strict oversight across all major routes.
Justice Karim remarked that the pollution crisis would not have become so severe if earlier directives had been implemented effectively.
Updates from WASA and Air Quality Concerns
During the proceedings, the Water and Sanitation Agency reported that Phase One of its development work had been completed, while funds for restoring the affected roads had been handed over to the Lahore Development Authority.
A law officer informed the court that the Air Quality Index inside the courtroom had crossed 190, leading to the installation of air purifiers within the court. The hearing was adjourned until Monday.
