The Lahore High Court has issued a detailed written directive in the ongoing case related to smog reduction efforts, instructing the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to declare a water emergency across Punjab. The court also ordered the preparation of a summary to be presented before the Punjab Cabinet for formal approval.
Justice Shahid Karim underscored the urgency of the situation, as the Director General (DG) of PDMA submitted a report highlighting Punjab’s worsening water crisis. The report, supported by warnings from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, pointed to a growing risk of drought across the province, citing a severe shortage of river water and alarming levels of underground water depletion.
The court emphasized the importance of immediate action and urged stakeholders to respond swiftly to the emerging threat. It also recommended the creation of a coordination committee to bring together various agencies involved in water management, with the PDMA responsible for reporting ongoing water conservation initiatives.
In compliance with the court’s orders, the PDMA has been tasked with formalizing the water emergency, and the DG PDMA must forward the summary for evaluation by the provincial cabinet.
During the proceedings, a representative from the Punjab government presented an order from the Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies Lahore, instructing all cooperative societies to immediately adopt water-saving measures.
Additionally, the court directed the Cooperative Department to draft new regulations that would govern the use of water pipes in residential areas and enforce a ban on car washing activities. Penalties are expected to be introduced for both residents and cooperative society managements that fail to comply.
The case has been adjourned until April 11, with the DG PDMA directed to submit the summary to the cabinet for further deliberation on the declaration of the water emergency.
