Lahore High Court ordered the district administration to declare a ‘smog emergency’ in the provincial capital on Wednesday.

The orders were issued in a hearing of the smog case by Justice Shahid Kareem on Wednesday where DC Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa appeared in person.

Justice Kareem told the DC that he was in charge of the city but it was in a bad state.

The court also ordered that factories contributing to pollution should be shut down until further orders and polluting vehicles should be impounded.

The DC was also told that action to prevent smog had to be taken in advance otherwise the government’s efforts would be fruitless when the time came.

The judge also remarked that industries were violating polluting the environment in connivance with police officials.

While the DC said that water would be sprinkled to prevent dust from rising in the city and orders have been given to ensure every truck entering the city is covered.

Justice Kareem also told the DC to set up a helpline where people could report if they saw a chimney emitting smoke. The judge also told the DC to raise awareness about the issue in schools.