LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday expressed deep concern over the escalating construction activities in the city, identifying them as a major contributor to pollution. Justice Shahid Karim, hearing multiple petitions on smog and environmental hazards, emphasized that anti-smog measures alone would be ineffective under current conditions.
Read More: Lahore’s first smog control tower ineffective, experts say
The judge highlighted that smoke-emitting vehicles were worsening the Air Quality Index (AQI) and ordered environmental squads to be visibly deployed on roads for the next two weeks. He also noted that vehicles coming from Karachi were adding to the pollution along GT Road.
Justice Karim expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the Water and Sanitation Authority (Wasa) in installing water meters and sought a detailed progress report. He further directed authorities to submit an update on Miyawaki forests planted across various localities, including Johar Town.
During the hearing, the counsel for the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) assured the court that no tree would be cut, vowing resignation if even a single tree was removed. The judge stressed that only strict and decisive measures could bring tangible improvements to the city’s environmental conditions.
Read More: Climate change: causes, outcomes in Pakistan and a way forward
The court will resume hearings on November 28, continuing its scrutiny of Lahore’s pollution control measures and enforcement of environmental regulations.