LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the Punjab government to launch a rigorous province-wide campaign against smoke-emitting vehicles as part of intensified efforts to combat worsening smog and air pollution across Punjab.
Justice Shahid Karim issued the order while hearing multiple petitions concerning environmental pollution and rising smog levels. He emphasized the need for strict action against polluting vehicles, instructing the government to run the campaign for two to three weeks and ensure full enforcement.
The judge noted that long-distance vehicles, particularly those traveling from Lahore to Karachi, were among the major contributors to air pollution. He directed the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to install banners across Lahore warning that smoke-emitting vehicles would be impounded. An EPA official informed the court that such banners had already been placed in several locations.
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Justice Karim further ordered the EPA to deploy officers and police at intercity bus terminals and motorway toll plazas to inspect vehicles. He also instructed authorities to carry out strict checks along the GT Road corridor from Lahore to Multan.
Expressing frustration over the absence of senior EPA officials, the judge remarked that if previous court orders had been implemented “in letter and spirit,” Lahore’s atmosphere would already have improved. He also directed the law officer to convene a joint meeting with the Environment Department, Chief Traffic Officer, and Transport Department to coordinate enforcement measures.
During the hearing, the EPA representative reported the seizure of 60 tons of old tyres from industrial plants in South Punjab and other regions as part of the ongoing anti-pollution drive.
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Over the past weeks, Lahore has repeatedly ranked among the most polluted cities in the world. According to the global air monitoring platform IQAir, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 177 on Friday — classified as “unhealthy” and the fifth worst globally.
Earlier this week, the LHC had also voiced concern over the administration’s weak response to the smog crisis, questioning the efficacy of anti-smog guns and the continued cutting of trees. Justice Karim clarified that the court’s interventions were meant to guide and assist the government, not to target officials.