LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the authorities concerned to enhance the fine on smoke-emitting vehicles from Rs200 to Rs2,000 in addition to their impounding for three days.

Justice Shahid Karim was hearing a case regarding the likely smog in Punjab, particularly in Lahore, during the upcoming winter season and the government’s failure to curb it.

As the hearing started, Syed Kamal Haider advocate, a focal person for a smog commission formed by a court, furnished recommendations, stating that plying of motorcycle-rickshaws on The Mall must be banned and fine on smoke-emitting vehicles should be increased to up to Rs2,000 along with their impounding for three days.

Also orders impounding of vehicles for three days

The commission further recommended that the finance department should be asked to table smog-related bills before the cabinet, which would pave the way for its presentation before the assembly to become a law.

The judge accepted the recommendations and directed the authorities concerned to ensure implementation of the recommendations. He also asked the authorities to enhance fine and impound smoke-emitting vehicles for three days.

The petitioner pleaded that growing smog ever year had caused serious life threats to the citizens and skin and respiratory diseases.

In a related case, the Punjab Safe City Authority presented a report in the court on environmental pollution and encroachments, stating that encroachments had been erected at 8,509 places in Lahore.

The report further revealed that manholes and roads were uncovered and unprepared at 95 places and traffic flow was not smooth at many places. There were 46 unapproved parking stands in the city and 32 public and private organisations had no parking slots. Beggars were found in abundance at 26 places in the city and 35 places had no traffic signs at all.

The judge adjourned hearing for two weeks.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2020