The Lahore High Court (LHC) pressed the Punjab government to impose a ban on developing housing schemes on agricultural land and to mandate the installation of water-treatment plants for houses of 10 marlas or above, as the province grapples with worsening smog.
Justice Shahid Karim, while hearing petitions related to environmental pollution, emphasized the need for a 10-year smog mitigation policy. Advocate General for Punjab Khalid Ishaq presented a detailed report on the provincial government’s efforts, highlighting plans to introduce electric buses by June next year and ongoing work on the Land Acquisition Act to protect agricultural land from urban sprawl.
The court also recommended large-scale tree plantation with species that help preserve underground water and suggested examining Beijing’s model for combating environmental challenges. The judge further instructed the government to address food security, flood management, and rainwater conservation, while monitoring ground-level temperatures and urban forestry progress.
Meanwhile, the thick smog continued to disrupt daily life in Lahore, severely affecting flight and train operations. Over 20 incoming and outgoing flights at Lahore Airport were delayed, including the Doha-bound PK-279 by seven hours and the Dubai-bound EK-623 by 10 hours.
Railways operations were also impacted, with delays reported for major routes, including the Lahore-to-Karachi Shalimar Express, which was delayed by an hour. The Divisional Superintendent Office of Pakistan Railways assured passengers that facilitation staff were on standby to provide assistance.
Justice Karim has directed the Punjab government to prioritize the long-term smog policy and submit updated implementation reports at the next hearing.
