The Lahore High Court (LHC) took decisive action on Thursday by ordering the demolition of factories that release excessive smoke, as part of ongoing efforts to tackle the worsening smog crisis in Lahore.
Justice Shahid Karim issued this directive in a written ruling following a petition filed by Haroon Farooq and others, highlighting the need for strict measures against those burning crop residues.
The court also requested information regarding the buses used by schools for transporting students while deploying pollution monitoring teams to inspect factories in Sargodha. Justice Karim further demanded a comprehensive report on Lahore’s Tollinton Market for the next hearing.
With Lahore recently facing an alarming air quality index (AQI) level of 708, the Punjab government has mandated the wearing of masks and prohibited open-air burning of crop residues. Additionally, on Wednesday, the Environment Department implemented a “green lockdown” in specific smog-affected areas, including Davies Road, Egerton Road, and regions near the railway station.
Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of “climate diplomacy” with India, suggesting collaborative efforts to combat the smog issue. Speaking at a Diwali event, she noted, “The winds don’t know there’s a border in the middle,” highlighting the urgent humanitarian implications of the crisis.
