LHC Orders Ban on Smoke-Emitting Vehicles in Lahore

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued strict directives to eliminate smoke-emitting vehicles from the city’s roads over the next two weeks in a decisive move to combat worsening air pollution. Justice Shahid Karim, while hearing petitions on environmental degradation, ordered authorities to bar such vehicles from entering Lahore via the motorway or any other route, noting that emissions from intercity traffic—particularly between Lahore, Karachi, and interior Sindh—were major contributors to the city’s smog crisis.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was instructed to extend its monitoring efforts beyond central Lahore and deploy officers at all entry and exit points of the city. The court also ordered the submission of EPA duty rosters to ensure accountability and continuous enforcement. Justice Karim remarked that had earlier directives been properly implemented, Lahore’s pollution levels would not have reached their current alarming state.

During the proceedings, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) reported that Phase One of its development works had been completed and funds for road restoration were transferred to the Lahore Development Authority (LDA). A law officer also highlighted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) inside the courtroom had exceeded 190, prompting the installation of air purifiers.

The case proceedings were adjourned until Monday as the court continues to oversee enforcement against pollution sources.