The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a directive to halt all new construction projects for a period of six months, from October to March, in response to the alarming level of air pollution in the city.

During a hearing on efforts to combat smog in Lahore, Justice Shahid Karim suggested cycling as one of the solutions to address the rising smog levels.

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The government’s lawyer informed the court that there are currently five ongoing construction projects in the city, with one near Shahdara nearing completion. The LHC has allowed work on the Niazi Interchange to Babu Sabu project to proceed conditionally, with the provincial government required to share data on the environmental impact of these projects.

Additionally, the high court has mandated the inclusion of water treatment plants in the construction of ten marla houses. In the recent hearing, Justice Shahid Karim ordered authorities to impose heavy fines for improper parking and car washing in homes, with violators facing fines of Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 3,000, respectively.