The Lahore High Court blamed the incumbent government for the deteriorating smog situation in Lahore, ordering a citywide emergency to be imposed. The directives were issued during a hearing addressing pleas seeking the court’s intervention.
The court directed the government to refrain from reopening factories emitting black smoke and urged school and college students to report such violators. Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhwa and other officers were instructed to educate students about these developments.
Justice Shahid Karim, emphasizing the severity of the situation, reminded the officers of their responsibility toward the city and its inhabitants, particularly the children.
Highlighting the early onset of smog this year, the judge stressed the collective responsibility to address the issue, adjourning the hearing till November 3.
As per a report in The News, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 255, categorizing the city as a “poisonous gas chamber.” The influx of VVIP movement in the city intensified the pollution, impacting the air quality further.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that some factories were using sub-standard fuel, contributing significantly to the rising air pollution, while the campaign against smoky vehicles remained insufficient.
Health experts emphasized the health risks associated with the increased fine particles (PM2.5), linking them to potential lung and heart problems. Dr Tariq Chishti, a general physician, underscored the dangers posed by such pollutants.
