Lahore — the beautiful city of Pakistan, full of life, love, and culture. The city of Allama Iqbal, often described with the famous saying: “If you haven’t seen Lahore, you haven’t been born yet.”

But sadly, the charm, warmth, and lively spirit of Lahore are slowly disappearing behind a blanket of dark smoke. Pollution is damaging the city’s atmosphere day by day, and people are suffering from various health problems because of it.

Due to the worsening smog and declining air quality, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued strict orders to act against individuals and organizations responsible for causing pollution in the city. During the hearing, Justice Shahid Karim said he is worried about vehicles that release a lot of smoke. He said these vehicles are one of the biggest reasons for Lahore’s bad air quality. He added that too much damage has already been done and now strict action is necessary.

The court has instructed the Director General to ensure that environmental teams are actively patrolling the roads and checking vehicles. The judge emphasized that if there is a proper check and regular inspections are carried out, it could significantly help in reducing smog. The court also questioned the usefulness of the anti-smog gun and said it won’t help much if vehicles continue to pollute. The Environment Department was reminded that it has the authority to punish violators and must use it strictly.

WASA faced criticism for its slow progress in setting up water meters. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Housing Authority confirmed that no trees have been cut down, following the current ban. Justice Karim highlighted that protecting trees is crucial in the battle against pollution.

The Environment Department has introduced a new initiative: from now on, only vehicles with a clearance certificate proving they are not polluting will be allowed to register while the court stressed the importance of preserving trees and expanding Miyawaki forests.

The hearing has been postponed to November 28, and the court expects real action from all departments to reduce pollution in the city.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)