LHC suggests tough condition for de-sealing factories

Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Shahid Karim ordered on Friday the sealing of the factories found polluting the environment and causing smog.

The judge remarked that the factories sealed over emitting smoke should not be de-sealed until an affidavit is submitted on behalf of the owners that the units be demolished if they were found committing any violation again.

Justice Karim was hearing petitions about curbing smog and pollution, as well as protecting groundwater.

Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa and several other officials appeared before the court.

The judge remarked that the things appeared to be on the right track but the PDMA needed to be awakened.

Read Punjab declares smog emergency

The commissioner assured the court that the traffic police had been ordered to implement without any compromise the ban on vehicles emitting smoke.

He told the court that concrete initiatives were being made to increase the trend of bicycling. He said the local administration had talked with the Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (TEPA) to allocate a separate track for bicycling. Efforts are also being made to offer discount to those visiting hotels on bicycles.

The court adjourned further proceedings till November 7.

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During earlier proceedings, the court had advised school and college students to file complaints to the authorities about factories emitting smoke.

The judge had directed the authorities concerned to impose a fine of Rs5,000 over wrong parking and Rs3,000 over car washing at homes.

He had also ordered demolition of brick kilns creating pollution.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2023.