The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued an order halting the planting of palm trees along highways and motorways. Justice Shahid Karim presided over the hearing of petitions filed by Haroon Farooq and others seeking a remedy for smog.
During the proceedings, the Director General of Environment informed the court that pollution does not diminish on palm leaves, and palm trees thrive better in hot regions, making them unsuccessful for planting on motorways and highways in Islamabad.
Justice Shahid Karim raised concerns about the renovation and embellishment of underpasses in Lahore, questioning who profited from these projects.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the underpasses, stating that they now appear peculiar and resemble a joke. Notably, unusual lights have been installed, and they were switched off the day before.
Additionally, Justice Shahid Karim stressed the importance of water conservation, citing reports predicting water scarcity by 2026 and 2027. He inquired about the measures taken by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) regarding the installation of water meters.
A member of the water commission responded that one year is required to complete the installation of water meters.
