The Punjab government was directed by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday to declare a pollution emergency and schedule a conference to discuss preventative measures before the bitter cold sets in.
As October dawned, Lahore was once again covered in thick haze. The air quality suddenly reached a concerning level. The city’s escalating air pollution levels have been deemed “hazardous” to public health.
Farooq, a Lahore resident, filed a petition, which Justice Shahid Jamil heard. The petitioner argued that the lack of action by the government in reducing pollution was having a negative impact on public health.
It argued that the court need to direct the appropriate authorities to take steps to reduce and eliminate pollution.
The court commented that the smog-eradication plans should be completed and that a team should be assembled right now to start prosecuting those guilty.
The judge said that the teams should be given automobiles. The chief secretary’s office’s cars will be given to them if this doesn’t take place.
The court mandated that the province proclaim a smog emergency and that air quality sensors be purchased within two weeks.
The hearing was then postponed until October 14 after the court instructed administration to present an implementation report in the subsequent case.
