LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday ordered the Environment Protection Department (EPD) to issue fitness certificates to the qualifying heavy vehicles on priority.

Hearing multiple petitions on environmental issues, Justice Shahid Karim further directed the government to conduct a survey to assess the performance of water treatment plants installed in industrial units.

The judge lamented that people lack awareness and keep on wasting water.

The judge remarked that people of Punjab should ask the residents of Karachi and Sindh about the value of water.

Justice Karim also expressed his concern over the rising temperatures in the country, saying the weather has become hotter and the mercury gone up by two more degrees.

The judge expressed his satisfaction as a provincial law officer told the court that the government has allocated funds in the budget for installation of 200,000 water meters.

A member of the judicial commission informed the court that, despite a previous direction, birds had not been relocated from Toll in ton Market.

The judge adjourned further proceedings till June 17 and sought reports from the relevant departments on the matter.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2025