The Lahore High Court (LHC) has praised the Punjab government's proactive steps in combating smog, highlighting its efforts as more effective than those of previous administrations.
The court, during a hearing of petitions concerning smog remediation, commended the government's long-term planning and measures to address the environmental crisis.
In a session led by Justice Shahid Karim, Advocate General Punjab outlined a comprehensive smog control plan, which includes measures to curb the emission of smoke from vehicles and limit stubble burning by farmers.
Notably, the government has initiated the distribution of super seeder machines at a 60% subsidy to replace the traditional practice of stubble burning, a significant contributor to smog.
Advocate General Punjab further informed the court that the government had implemented a task force to enforce stricter regulations, including a ban on smoke-emitting vehicles and instructions for the public to hold weddings in October instead of the peak smog months of November, December, and January.
Justice Karim remarked that the current government's actions on smog are commendable, stating that it has performed better than previous governments. He expressed confidence in the government's approach and noted that smog reduction efforts should be replicated across other divisions of Punjab.
"The smog policy is an excellent initiative, and it should be extended to other regions," said Justice Karim.
The court also underscored the crucial role of the transport sector in pollution, which is responsible for 70 to 80 percent of environmental degradation in the province. The use of smuggled, low-grade fuel in the sector was flagged as a significant issue, with the court drawing a comparison to Beijing, where the entire industrial sector was relocated to reduce air pollution.
As part of the government's strategy, over 100 buses have been taken off the road since November 9 to curb emissions, and the task force has been deployed across all districts to ensure compliance. Justice Karim lauded the efforts of the Director General (DG) of Environment, noting his personal involvement in inspections.
The court adjourned the hearing until Friday, with the promise of further monitoring of the government’s actions. Justice Karim emphasized that, while the steps taken are promising, the government must remain vigilant in its fight against smog, which continues to be a nationwide issue.
