Smog Emergency: Smart lockdown imposed in Lahore, six other Punjab districts

The Punjab government has imposed a smart lockdown in seven districts to tackle the escalating air pollution levels and an alarming increase in Conjunctivitis cases amid smog.

There will be a smart lockdown in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, and Wazirabad from November 10 to November 12.

According to the notification issued by Commissioner Gujranwala, all schools, offices, markets, entertainment places, marriage halls, and cinemas will remain closed during the Smart Lockdown, while cases under Section 144 will be registered for burning crop residues and garbage.

Commissioner Gujranwala requested the citizens to limit movement.

Meanwhile, the provincial government has outlined exemptions for key personnel. Judges, lawyers, court staff, healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies, essential service providers, WASAs, Municipalities, WAPDA, NTDC, DISCOS, and SNGPL from the lockdown restrictions.

It should be noted that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has already issued a smog advisory.

Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi announced a holiday in all the districts of Lahore Division, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, and Hafizabad on Friday, November 10, in view of smog.

“It is notified for general information that a Public Holiday shall be observed on 10th November 2023 (Friday) in Lahore Division (District Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur), District Gujranwala, District Hafizabad, District Sialkot & District Narowal, due to smog, except those offices exempted by Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department,” said the notification.

A day earlier, the Punjab government had imposed a health emergency in Lahore and two other divisions from Nov 9 to 12.

According to NDMA, smog is likely to reach dangerous levels in central and southern Punjab next week.

In the NDMA advisory, it was said that smog may reach dangerous levels in Gujranwala, Multan, Lahore, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, DG Khan, Sahiwal divisions may also be affected by smog.

On the other hand, in view of the smog, a holiday was declared in various districts of Punjab, including Lahore, on Friday by the caretaker Punjab government.