The Lahore High Court (LHC) has strongly suggested that it might shut down motorcycle rickshaw manufacturing companies across Punjab if they don’t get properly regulated within the next three months.
This warning came during a hearing on petitions related to reducing smog, presided over by Justice Shahid Karim.
During the session, Justice Shahid Karim voiced serious concerns about the increasing pollution levels in Lahore, linking them directly to both unregulated traffic and poor city planning. The court pointed out that the widespread use of motorcycle rickshaws is a major contributor to both air and noise pollution in the city.
Lahore’s Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Athar Waheed informed the court that a proposal recommending a ban on motorcycle rickshaws had already been sent to the chief minister. He also revealed the tragic news that 10 people recently lost their lives in an accident involving a motorcycle rickshaw. The CTO went as far as to call it a “crime” to allow such unregulated vehicles to operate on public roads.
In response, the court stated that factories producing these unregulated rickshaws should be closed down. They added that these companies would be given a three-month deadline to meet safety and environmental standards. The court emphasized that “permission cannot be granted to these rickshaw factories unless they are properly regulated.”
The court also directed that a summary report on this entire issue be presented at the next hearing, which is scheduled for April 25th.
Concerns over Protests and PSL Traffic
Justice Shahid Karim also addressed the ongoing traffic problems in Lahore, pointing to both the protests on The Mall road and the security arrangements for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches as significant factors.
Regarding the protesters occupying The Mall road, the court questioned the Punjab government’s inaction, asking, “What’s the deal with these protesters just sitting on The Mall road?” The judge instructed authorities to move the protesters to a different location, stressing that “traffic disruptions caused by protests and matches drastically increase pollution – even a 10-minute traffic jam causes a significant rise in emissions.”
The government’s lawyer responded that they were currently in negotiations with the protesters.
Justice Karim also criticized the security measures for PSL matches, stating that while ensuring player safety is important, “closing down the entire city gives the impression that the country is unsafe.” He added, “It’s been 10 years, and the situation hasn’t improved at all.”
Broader Smog Worries
The court also expressed concern about the larger environmental crisis, warning that “the intensity of the heatwave is expected to get worse in the coming days.” Officials from the Environment Department and other relevant agencies were present during the hearing as well.
Justice Karim called for legislative actions to support enforcement efforts, including the implementation of digital ticketing for traffic fines and stricter measures against beggars and encroachments on public streets.
