In a bid to improve public safety and combatting environmental hazards, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Wednesday issued a series of directives, including hefty fines for riders without helmets and stringent measures to tackle smog.  The directives come as a response to petitions filed for addressing the persistent smog issue in the region. The Lahore High Court has made it mandatory for all motorcycle riders across Punjab to wear helmets. Those found in violation of this rule will be liable to pay a fine of 2,000 rupees. Additionally, the court has imposed a fine of Rs5,000 on individuals who wash cars in their houses and park on green belts.

To ensure the enforcement of these directives, the Lahore High Court has instructed the Dolphin Police to closely monitor and take action against offenders. The court also highlighted the importance of reforestation efforts in the city, calling for the planting of more Miyawaki forests.Meanwhile, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has been ordered not to initiate any project without the explicit permission of the court. The LDA will also collaborate closely with the Environment Department when planning and executing development projects to ensure that they meet the necessary environmental standards. Furthermore, the concerned officers have been directed to take strict action against kilns emitting black smoke, a major contributor to the region's worsening air quality.

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)