The Lahore High Court has ordered markets to close by 8 PM, and also directed that markets across the province remain closed on Sundays.
The orders were issued during a hearing of petitions filed to tackle smog. Justice Shahid Karim heard the petitions filed by citizen Haroon Farooq and others.
During the hearing, the court ordered that markets be closed at 8 PM, and that markets across Punjab be closed on Sundays as well. Additionally, the court imposed a ban on the entry of vehicles emitting smoke on motorways and the Ring Road, and also banned the entry of trucks and trailers into the city.
Justice Shahid Karim remarked that trucks and trailers are a major cause of smog and environmental pollution. He ordered that Dolphin Police and other police officers be deployed to control heavy traffic. He further stated that he has been urging the government to take measures to control smog during every hearing. The real cause of pollution is the smoke emitted by heavy traffic. If notices have been issued to trucks and buses, why have they not been stopped yet? He suggested imposing fines of 50,000 rupees on buses that emit smoke, asking how they could not be fixed. He questioned how vehicles without fitness certificates are allowed on the road and said that the transport department should have taken action on this matter.
Justice Karim added that the administration should take action and assess the smog situation at night, with the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore and the Commissioner themselves going out to see what is happening. He emphasized that the court does not want to issue orders that cannot be implemented. He also pointed out that while the government has enforced a “one-dish” policy for weddings, there have been no measures taken to control the crowds at such events.
