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Lahore High Court Imposes Complete Ban on Commercial Activities to Curb Smog
Lahore High Court orders a complete ban on commercial activities after 10pm to tackle rising smog. Justice Shahid Karim stresses strict implementation, not just notifications. Hearing adjourned till Nov 7.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-04
Lahore High Court Imposes Complete Ban on Commercial Activities to Curb Smog

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered a complete ban on commercial activities in Lahore city, as part of efforts to control the worsening smog situation in the provincial capital.

Justice Shahid Karim issued the directive while hearing petitions concerning environmental pollution and smog remediation on Sunday.

During the proceedings, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Musa Raza presented a notification stating that all markets and restaurants will close by 10pm, in accordance with the court’s instructions.

However, Justice Shahid Karim emphasized that issuing notifications alone was insufficient. “The purpose is not to issue a notification but to ensure its strict implementation,” he remarked. “The goal of this ban is to reduce pollution and control smog, which continues to increase due to environmental negligence.”

The court also reviewed progress on infrastructure-related pollution sources. A member of the Environmental Commission informed the court that WASA had excavated near Khayaban-e-Ferdowsi, leading to severe traffic congestion. WASA’s legal advisor, Irfan Akram, explained that sewage system replacement work was underway in the city.

Justice Karim instructed WASA to present a detailed timeline for its ongoing projects at the next hearing.

Reinforcing its earlier directions, the court also ordered that wedding halls must strictly close by 10pm, warning that any violation would invite legal consequences.

The LHC directed that a director-level officer of the Environment Department must attend every future hearing and submit compliance reports regarding anti-smog measures.

The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until November 7, seeking comprehensive updates on the implementation of its orders.

This move follows growing public concern over hazardous air quality in Lahore, which has consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted cities. The court’s order reflects increasing judicial intervention aimed at enforcing environmental accountability and protecting citizens’ health.
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LahoreHighCourt

AirPollution

EnvironmentalJustice

SmogAlert
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