Punjab Orders Market Closures at 8 PM to Combat Smog

Smog

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a decisive order mandating the early closure of all markets in Punjab at 8:00 PM every day and a complete closure on Sundays, in a bid to tackle the worsening smog situation in the city.

The directive was announced by Justice Shahid Karim, who is presiding over the smog-related hearings. He expressed concern over the insufficient measures taken to address the growing environmental crisis, despite numerous hearings and repeated calls for action from the court.

Justice Karim emphasized that the court does not wish to issue impractical orders but stated that drastic action is now necessary to combat the severe smog, which has become a public health hazard in Lahore and other parts of Punjab.

The LHC’s decision comes after various government departments presented reports on their efforts to mitigate smog before the court. However, these efforts were deemed inadequate by the bench, which stressed the need for more robust and immediate interventions.

In addition to the market closures, the court issued further orders aimed at reducing vehicular pollution, which has been identified as a major contributor to smog.

The LHC directed authorities to restrict the entry of vehicles onto motorways and the Ring Road, with a particular focus on heavy vehicles such as trucks and trailers.

These heavy vehicles, which produce significant emissions, are now completely banned from entering the city. The court ordered the deployment of police officers to monitor and control the movement of these vehicles, ensuring compliance with the new regulations.

Justice Karim expressed frustration with the government’s ongoing failure to effectively implement smog control measures. He pointed out that heavy vehicle emissions are one of the primary causes of environmental pollution in Lahore.

During the hearing, the court questioned the effectiveness of the current policies, particularly regarding fines and vehicle fitness checks. Justice Karim highlighted that fines of Rs50,000 imposed on non-compliant buses have not resulted in a noticeable improvement in compliance.

Furthermore, the presence of vehicles without valid fitness certificates on the roads was a major concern for the court, as these vehicles are often poorly maintained and contribute heavily to air pollution.

The LHC stressed that these new orders are aimed at significantly reducing both traffic congestion and emissions, which are critical factors in the city’s smog crisis.

The smog, which intensifies during the winter months, poses severe health risks, particularly respiratory issues, for the residents of Lahore and surrounding areas.

By imposing stricter controls on market operations and heavy traffic, the court hopes to alleviate the immediate impacts of the smog and create a cleaner, safer environment for the public.

Justice Karim reiterated that the court has consistently urged the government to take stronger action at each hearing, but the lack of effective measures has left the situation deteriorating further.

The court’s orders represent an urgent step to mitigate the environmental damage caused by unchecked pollution and to safeguard public health in Punjab, especially in Lahore, where smog levels have reached dangerous levels in recent weeks. The LHC’s decision marks a critical turning point in the ongoing struggle against smog and pollution in the region.