Smog remedy: LHC orders to close markets at 8pm

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered to close markets across Punjab at 8pm to prevent smog.

Justice Shahid Karim of LHC heard the petitions of Haroon Farooq and others for the remedy of smog and environmental pollution.

During the hearing, the court ordered to stop lorries, buses, trucks, and trawlers from entering Lahore.

The court remarked that trucks and trawlers are a major cause of smog and environmental pollution. Dolphin police and police personnel should be appointed to control heavy traffic. At every hearing, the government was asked to take steps to control smog. The real cause of pollution is the smoke released by heavy traffic.

Justice Shahid Karim said that if the notices have been given to lorries and buses, why have they not stopped yet? If they impose a fine of Rs50,000 on smoke-emitting buses, how can they not follow the rule? How can a vehicle go on the road without a fitness certificate? The transport department should have taken steps.

The court stated in the remarks that they are taking steps to help the government who may not be looking at the court orders favorably. If there is pressure from the government on the DCs, they will work. The administration should review the smog situation at night.

Justice Shahid Karim added that he did not want to give such an order which could not be implemented. One-dish system was implemented at weddings no steps were taken to control the rush there.

The court ordered that the work-from-home policy should start in the smog case. The markets should be closed at 8:00pm and on Sundays in the entire Punjab. The entry of smoke-emitting vehicles on the motorway and ring roads should be banned.

Justice Shahid Karim further said in his remarks that there is an emergency regarding smog. Taking these measures will not control the smog in one year. The results of these measures will start coming in five years. China made successful measures to control smog and pollution.