Punjab Court Directs Strict Action Against Illegal Waste Dumping

LAHORE: On Monday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) mandated that police forces operate throughout Punjab register cases at their earliest instance where there’s evidence of illegal waste disposal practices.

Justice Shahid Karim delivered this verdict during proceedings addressing multiple petitions about air quality deterioration and waste management failures in the region.

The judicial order specifically targets unauthorized garbage deposition sites, instructing Deputy Commissioners to conspicuously mark non-designated disposal zones through permanent signage installations. This directive aims to prevent public confusion and repeated violations through visible deterrents.

Justice Shahid Karim mandates criminal investigations, requests documentation about waste combustion activities

The judicial oversight comes after a contractor operating within the Paragon City housing development appeared in court for improper waste management practices at prohibited locations. Law officers disclosed previous court records showing multiple violation notices issued against this same entity for similar offenses.

Rescue 1122 emergency services awaited summons from judicial authorities regarding their documentation of waste incineration incidents at the aforementioned residential complex. The Director General must submit comprehensive incident reports detailing both frequency and mitigation measures.

The LHC expanded its regulatory scope by commanding all provincial police station heads formally document and prosecute illegal waste management activities under applicable environmental statutes. Previously, only Lahore Metropolitan Corporation authorities handled enforcement in urban centers according to earlier judicial directives.

Judicial officials temporarily suspended the cantonment board’s permissions to utilize restricted zones for temporary waste collection facilities. This procedural halt remains in force pending official compliance certifications from municipal authorities.

Adjourned matters were rescheduled for proceedings continuation on June 11th. The court accessed administrative records showing progress reports from Punjab’s environmental protection department regarding enforcement actions against repeat offenders.

This report was initially published by Dawn newspaper on June 9th, 2026