The Lahore High Court voiced concerns about WASA’s failure to install water meters during the smog mitigation case hearing.

The court ordered reports on water meters and transportation to be submitted at the next hearing and suggested declaring an emergency for the installation of water meters.

Justice Shahid Karim presided over petitions from citizen Haroon Farooq and others related to smog prevention. Reports from the PHDA, LDA, and the Transport Department were presented in court.

The court expressed dissatisfaction with WASA due to non-functioning drains and the lack of water meter installations. It requested an implementation report by next Friday.

WASA reported that it is in the first phase of installing one water meter. The court emphasized the need for government action to expedite this process.

The Transport Department’s report indicated that meetings had occurred with eighteen transport companies.

The Assistant Advocate General of Punjab informed the court that licenses had been issued to these companies, which manufacture auto and loader rickshaws. Discussions were held about converting loader rickshaws to electric models, with one company proposing charging points at all metro stations.

The court suggested that incentives be provided to companies and a policy developed. A member of the Judicial Commission highlighted the need for charging stations at metro stations, warning that neglecting this could lead to commercialization.

The Lahore High Court proposed that DHA and LDA establish Miyawaki forests in all housing societies and offer tax relief to builders of green buildings.

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Members of the Judicial Water and Environment Commission noted the need for sprinkler systems in public officer messes to save water, stating that community members are willing to donate if locations for tree planting are available.

Justice Shahid Karim underscored Lahore’s identity as the city of gardens and called for the activation of all parks under the PHDA.

The court requested an implementation report for the following Friday and postponed the case for a week.