LHC satisfied with reduction in Lahore’s air pollution

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the reduction in air pollution in Lahore and directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to ensure that vehicles’ without the m-tag do not ply on the Lahore-Islamabad motorway.

As the hearing commenced, the court was informed that Air Quality Index (AQI) had gone down from 400 to 180 in Lahore and the fresh air had also improved the weather.

Justice Shahid Karim appreciated the efforts made by concerned authorities and observed that the media should also inform the citizens about the decrease in AQI.

Read more: LHC advises Punjab govt to impose lockdown in Lahore to control smog

Advocate Sheraz Zaka has approached LHC to push the government to adopt measures to curb alarming smog in Lahore.

The court also directed the chief traffic police officer to take action against the violators of rules and inform the court in case undue pressure was exerted on the law enforcement agency.

The court has also sought a report from the director general Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) on the condition of the parks.

The court has also sought opinion on the proposal to run ambulances on metro tracks and directed the CTO to assist it in this regard. The court will resume hearing on December 9.

Read more: Authorities asked to bar entry of vehicles without M-tag on M2 motorway to curb pollution

On behalf of the petitioner, Sheraz Zaka argued that the provincial government had not been performing its statutory obligations. He pointed out that the commissioner must close down the factories which were causing air pollution and smog and strict action should be taken against those involved in crop burning.