Islamabad, June 13, 2025: The Lahore High Court has asked the Environmental Protection Department to issue fitness stickers for heavy vehicles, rickshaws, and motorcycles to help fight pollution and smog.
Justice Shahid Karim gave these instructions while hearing petitions about environmental pollution. The petitions were filed by citizen Haroon Farooq and others. Officers from several government departments, including the Environment Department, were present in court.
The court stressed enforcing fitness stickers for heavy vehicles to reduce smog and ensure all vehicles meet environmental safety standards.
The court ordered a detailed survey to evaluate water treatment plants in industrial areas and ensure proper control of factory pollution.
A Judicial Water Commission member told the court that LDA still hadn’t moved birds from Tollinton Market, ignoring previous court orders. The judge expressed serious concern over the delay.
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During the hearing, the Punjab government’s lawyer said funds were allocated to install 200,000 water meters. The court requested a formal progress report.
The judge stressed the urgent need to enforce fitness stickers for heavy vehicles to reduce pollution and ensure only roadworthy vehicles operate.
The court criticized the Finance Department for denying health allowances to traffic wardens, stating deserving staff are being unfairly overlooked.
Highlighting climate change, the judge noted a two-degree Celsius rise in temperature and warned of intensifying heatwaves. Public carelessness in water use was also condemned, with the judge remarking, “Ask the people of Sindh what water means to them.”
All departments were told to submit their progress reports, and the hearing was postponed until June 17.
