LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday proposed a complete shutdown of commercial activities every Sunday as part of a broader strategy to tackle the city’s worsening smog problem.
During the hearing of petitions filed by citizen Haroon Farooq and others, Justice Shahid Karim also ordered the strict enforcement of the government’s notification mandating that markets close by 10 PM and restaurants by 11 PM. Deputy Commissioner Lahore Mohsin Raza appeared before the court and confirmed these timings.
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Justice Karim remarked that all markets and businesses should remain closed on Sundays for at least one month to help reduce pollution levels, with the possibility of extending the measure further if effective. The court also directed authorities to ensure that marriage halls close by 10 PM and noted frequent violations of the one-dish rule, though it said that issue was separate from environmental concerns.
Expressing frustration over prolonged WASA construction projects, the court criticized the lack of progress and the accumulation of dust-causing materials across Lahore. Justice Karim warned that negligence from departments such as WASA, LDA, and the Environment Department would not be tolerated, ordering detailed project timelines in the next report. The court adjourned the hearing until Friday, directing all relevant authorities to take immediate and effective measures to address the smog crisis.
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