LHC orders closure of markets at 8 pm to combat smog

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directing measures against the alarming rise in fog has ordered an 8 pm closure for markets across Punjab, with shops to remain closed on Sundays.

In a hearing focused on smog and pollution control, Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court issued several directives to reduce air pollution in the city.

The court, addressing petitions by Haroon Farooq and others, emphasized the need for urgent action.

The court has directed authorities to prohibit the entry of trucks, trailers, and heavy vehicles into the city, identifying their emissions as a major cause of smog and pollution.

Justice Karim instructed Dolphin Police and traffic personnel to actively monitor and control heavy traffic in Lahore.

The court expressed frustration at the continued presence of smoke-emitting buses, suggesting a Rs. 50,000 fine for violators and questioning why buses and trucks continue to operate without fitness certificates.

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The judge emphasized, “If notice has been issued to buses, why are they still on the roads?”

Further orders include implementing a work-from-home policy and enforcing an 8 p.m. closure for markets across Punjab, with shops to remain closed on Sundays as well.

Additionally, a ban on smoke-emitting vehicles entering motorways and ring roads was mandated.

Justice Karim acknowledged the emergency level of smog and cautioned that while these measures will not resolve the smog issue in a single year, improvements are expected to emerge over five years.

Noting China’s success in reducing pollution, the judge stressed the need for consistent efforts to tackle this crisis effectively.