Punjab seals plants as LHC petition targets smog crisis

A Lahore High Court petition seeks a Smog and Climate Task Force after Punjab’s EPA logged AQI of 340 in Lahore and 500 in Shahdara on 23 October.

The Judicial Activism Panel has petitioned the Lahore High Court for urgent action on Punjab’s smog and enforcement of environmental laws.

On 23 October, Punjab EPA recorded AQI 340 in Lahore and 500 in Shahdara; an IQAir reading for Lahore was 410.

The petition cites an LHC judgment of 12 August 2026 and seeks a Smog and Climate Task Force under the chief secretary.

In the past 24 hours, Punjab teams inspected 64 industrial units and 117 brick kilns, with seals, notices, fines and one case registered.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said 53% of rice on 3,357,949 acres was harvested, with 114 residue-fire incidents and 55 cases registered.

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