LHC mandates action across province to curb illegal waste dumping

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday sought a report from the director general of Rescue 1122 over a garbage-burning incident near a private housing society and ordered strict action against those responsible for illegal waste dumping.

Justice Shahid Karim issued the directions while hearing petitions concerning smog control and environmental protection. During the proceedings, the court examined a report about pollution caused by burning waste behind Paragon Society.

Placed before the court, the Environment Protection Department had carried out extensive efforts to remove the illegal dumping site and had stationed monitoring teams on a permanent basis to stop further violations. A representative of the Environmental Commission told the court that dumping near Paragon City had been stopped immediately after the authorities intervened.

The Punjab government’s counsel informed the court that multiple FIRs had already been registered against the contractor allegedly involved in the dumping. Justice Karim, however, questioned why the contractor had still not been arrested despite several criminal cases having been lodged against him.

The court directed the authorities to summon the contractor and formally warn him that any future violation would invite strict legal action. Justice Karim also ordered the deputy commissioner concerned to place signboards in the area declaring it a No Dumping Zone.

In addition, the local SHO was instructed to register criminal cases against anyone found disposing of waste at the site. The judge further directed the authorities to obtain an affidavit from the contractor, assuring the court that he would not dump waste there again.

Expressing concern over the fire at the dumping site, Justice Karim observed that firefighting efforts should be conducted carefully to prevent any chemical leakage or explosion. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that while dumping had temporarily stopped, waste was being dumped again whenever monitoring teams left the area.