LHC orders resealing of polluting factories

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday expressed dissatisfaction over the unsealing of factories causing pollution into the city's environment and ordered them to be sealed once again.

Details reveal that Justice Shahid Kareem heard petitions related to smog control in Lahore and directed action against two officers from the environment department. The court emphasised that no officer is authorised to unseal industries sealed by the court.

Justice Shahid Kareem said that the government is taking measures to control smog, but citizens must cooperate to end this pollution.

The court reprimanded the environment DG for insufficient action, asserting that the court should not bear sole responsibility. The DG was urged to attend the next hearing and present the situation to the court.

The DG mentioned that the government has developed short-, medium-, and long-term projects to address the environmental crisis in Lahore.

Earlier this month, the Lahore High Court had directed the authorities to implement a smog emergency in the provincial capital to tackle the persistent issue. The court had instructed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to be involved in the smog emergency response.

Additionally, the commissioner and other officials were also directed to personally visit schools and colleges to raise awareness among students.