Lahore High Court Orders High Fines on Misuse of Clean Water

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has mandated the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to escalate fines for domestic and commercial water consumers engaging in the reckless use of clean water.

Additionally, the LHC has directed that industrial units must face a minimum fine of Rs.1 million for repeated violations, as ordered by Justice Shahid Karim during a hearing on smog-related cases.

In compliance with the court’s directives, fines for wasteful water usage will now stand at Rs. 20,000 for commercial users and Rs. 10,000 for domestic users. Furthermore, officials have been cautioned about severe consequences if factories are discovered to be contributing to air pollution in their respective areas.

Also Read: Lahore High Court Directs Factories Emitting Smoke To Pay Rs1 Million Fine

Justice Karim has also instructed the sealing of such factories, with any unsealing matters referred to a judicial commission. The court was apprised by the Director-General of the Environmental Protection Department that smoke-emitting factories had allegedly been unsealed by their owners in collusion with officials.

The Environmental officers have been instructed to submit an affidavit, warning them of potential repercussions for non-compliance with the orders. Furthermore, actions have been initiated against environmental officers in adherence to the court’s instructions. A member of the judicial commission accused officials of accepting bribes, asserting that environmentally harmful factories operate clandestinely during the night.

The court expressed dissatisfaction with the Lahore Development Authority’s (LDA) lawyer regarding prolonged renovation work in the underpasses of the city canal, with the judge remarking that nowhere in the world are underpasses adorned in such a manner.