Punjab imposes smog emergency

The Punjab government imposed a smog emergency across the province on Wednesday due to the worsening air quality.

The emergency was announced during a meeting convened to review the deteriorating smog situation, chaired by interim Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi himself.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, the Chief Secretary, the Inspector General of Police (IG), concerned secretaries, and senior officials.

The meeting was informed that closing schools and transport would have little effect on reducing smog.

However, the interim government made it compulsory for all students in public and private schools to wear masks for one month.

The press release added that provincial ministers were directed to visit public and private schools from Thursday.

“Strict actions will be taken against those who do not dispose of dust, sand, and clay properly during the construction of houses,” the press release said, adding that interim Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also issued instructions in this regard to officials and civic bodies in Lahore.

 

The air quality levels of Lahore have been deteriorating to hazardous levels and citizens face serious health problems as the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 255.

Earlier in the day, the Lahore High Court (LHC) blamed the incumbent government for the current situation in Lahore due to the smog and ordered the administration to impose a citywide emergency.

The orders were issued when the LHC took up pleas seeking the court’s intervention in the matter.

The court also directed the provincial government not to de-seal factories that are responsible for black smoke and directed school and college students to inform the authorities of such factories.