Environmental Protection Agency to expand its operational focus beyond central Lahore and deploy officers in the city
An aerial shot shows people traveling on a street amid heavy smog conditions in Lahore. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Authorities have been directed to ensure that no smoke-emitting vehicles are seen on the roads of Lahore for the next two weeks.
The order came from the Lahore High Court, which prohibits such vehicles from entering the city via the highway or any other route.
While hearing petitions related to environmental pollution, Justice Shahid Karim commented that emissions from vehicles traveling between Lahore, Karachi and interior Sindh are contributing significantly to the worsening air quality in Lahore.
The judge emphasized that Grand Trunk Road should not be ignored in the law enforcement campaign.
Read: Lahore breathes easy as smog eases
The court also ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expand its operational focus beyond central Lahore and deploy officers at entry and exit points of the city.
Additionally, the EPA has been ordered to submit its task lists to the courts and ensure strict monitoring on all routes.
If the previous judicial directives had been implemented correctly, Justice Karim observed, the pollution situation would not have worsened to such an extent.
The Water and Sanitation Agency submitted a report during the proceedings stating that phase one of its development works had been completed and funds for the restoration of the road had already been transferred to the Lahore Development Authority (LDA).
Meanwhile, a law enforcement official noted that the air quality index even inside the courtroom had surpassed 190, prompting the installation of air purifiers in the court itself.
The procedure was postponed until Monday.
