Smog: LHC agitated over markets open after 8pm

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) expressed displeasure over the markets being open till 10:00pm.

Justice Shahid Karim of LHC heard the petitions filed by citizen Haroon Farooq and others regarding the remedial smog.

During the hearing, the court expressed displeasure over the timing of markets at 10:00pm and asked the Advocate General Punjab how the timing of markets was changed without submitting a report to the court. To which the Advocate General Punjab replied that he would take a report on it and on what basis was that done.

The Advocate General Punjab said that today the sun is shining in Lahore just like it shines in Islamabad. Justice Shahid Karim remarked that we should not waste it lest the smog return. There are many pressure groups and mafias here, and the process of changing the market timing also seems to be similar.

Justice Shahid stated that officers must understand that smog is a very important issue, on which the Advocate General of Punjab assured the court that they would immediately look into the issue of changing the timings of the markets.

The court directed the LDA to come up with a policy regarding those who set up carts on the roads and said in its remarks that setting up carts on the roads affects the flow of traffic. A separate space should be allocated for carts.

The LDA lawyer told the court that they were working in this regard. Justice Shahid Karim remarked that the aim of the court is not to harass the poor cart drivers but to create convenience for them.

The Advocate General of Punjab told the court that points are being set for the fitness inspection of vehicles every six months.

The court directed that after the fitness certificate, a tag should also be affixed to the vehicles. If a vehicle passes through the Safe City cameras, it should be known whether its fitness certificate tag is affixed or not, to which the Advocate General said that the Safe City Authority can do this work.

Justice Shahid directed him to check motorcycles and small loaders in particular that are the main cause of pollution. Garbage burned on Sundays around the Ring Road should be corrected and policies and measures should be taken forward.

Later, the court adjourned further hearings on the petitions regarding remedial smog until next Friday.