LHC orders sealing factories causing smog, air pollution

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Friday directed the authorities in Punjab to seal factories contributing to air pollution amid the prevailing smog issue in the provincial capital.

Lahore witnessed dangerously high smog and air pollution levels in recent days, courtesy smoke-emitting vehicles, factories and burning of crops residue. The LHC had directed the government to impose a ‘smog emergency’ in the provincial capital.

Hearing Haroon Farooq’s petition on anti-smog measures, Justice Shahid Karim directed the factories responsible for contributing to air pollution to submit affidavits that if they are found in violation of environmental laws, the factories would be demolished.

The court also ordered the authorities to keep such factories sealed until the owners submit affidavits assuring no further violations of environmental laws.

Informing the court on the measures taken by the government to curb air pollution, Commissioner Lahore Division Mohammad Ali Randhawa promised that the authorities will take strict action against smoke-emitting vehicles.

The commissioner also revealed that the traffic police have also been directed to impound vehicles contributing to smog. “We have taken numerous measures to encourage cycling [...] We have also reached out to the Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency for establishment of a cycling track,” Randhawa said.

The official also said the government will try to make sure that cyclists are able to buy products at a discounted price in hotels.

He revealed that to discourage deforestation, the authorities plan to issue advertisements in newspapers warning people that cutting trees is a crime.

“It looks like the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) is sleeping [...] we will wake them up,” the court said while censuring the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

“It looks like we are on the right track...These two months [November and December] are very crucial. From next year, we will have to take important steps from the beginning [of the winter season],” the court said.

Additionally, the court directed the authorities should gather pictorial evidence of vehicles contributing to smog and air pollution.

Adjourning the case till November 7, the court ordered the commissioner to partner up with the private sector, saying that the cycling trend can be re-introduced in five to six months.

Earlier this week, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar announced taking up the issue of burning crops, which is worsening the smog situation, with India at the diplomatic level.