The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a ban on the operation of smoke-emitting commercial generators in designated 'green lockdown' areas to address air pollution. Justice Shahid Karim, presiding over petitions filed by citizens, including Haroon Farooq, to curb smog, ordered the installation of pollution control devices in commercial generators within the next seven days. The court’s written order of the previous day's hearing emphasizes that such generators should be sealed until these devices are installed to reduce harmful emissions. Justice Karim also ordered the removal of encroachments in hot spot areas to improve air quality and reduce congestion-related pollution.

The court lauded the actions taken by the present government and the director general of environment, noting that they would contribute positively to environmental conditions. The court mentioned in the written order that the public prosecutor said that superseeds had been distributed to farmers as part of a strategy to curb crop burning. Furthermore, the Lahore Division commissioner has been directed to submit a report on the operations of Kasur tanneries within 15 days, while the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) DG was instructed to implement findings from an inquiry report regarding underpass renovations. The hearing has been adjourned until Friday.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan