LAHORE: A four-day environmental and health emergency has been proclaimed in the divisions of Lahore, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad due to smog conditions.
The declaration was made by acting chief minister Mohsin Naqvi during a news conference on Tuesday night, when the city’s air quality index (AQI) was 390, which is classified as hazardous.
The city remained among the most polluted at this AQI level, with residents dealing with a foggy and hazy atmosphere all day long. It was almost impossible to breathe normally outside due to the extremely low quality of the air. Naqvi gave a press conference, summarizing the talks from an in-depth cabinet meeting. The discussion disclosed that the current conditions were causing respiratory and ocular issues in youngsters.
Also read: How does the smog affect your health?
The cabinet was briefed that one of the issues facing the area is the four times higher rate of crop burning in India than in Pakistan.
Decisions made during the meeting included the implementation of Section 144 in three districts of Punjab, along with the closure of schools, colleges, and all government departments. Additionally, a holiday on November 9 was declared, resulting in the closure of educational institutions and government offices from Thursday to Sunday in specific districts, including Lahore division, Wazirabad, Gujranwala, and Nankana Sahib.
As part of the emergency measures, markets will be closed for two days (Saturday and Sunday), while restaurants and cinemas will be closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, certain essential services like bakeries, pharmacies, marriage halls, public transport, and takeaway restaurants will remain operational, while parks will remain closed.
Naqvi requested that people stay inside during this time to give Lahore some rest and to wear face masks. He emphasized that these regulations were just temporary and that anyone found in violation would face harsh consequences.
The interim chief minister stated that rain is possible on November 9, 2023, in an attempt to reduce air pollution. He emphasized the gravity of the issue while pointing out that schools in Delhi were closed.
The Lahore Festival has also been postponed in light of the health and environmental catastrophe.
Meanwhile, a report released by the commissioner of Lahore Division revealed that in the past 17 days, 9,972 vehicles emitting smoke were issued fines totaling Rs2 crore, with 3,809 vehicles impounded. Operations were conducted by 10 teams from excise, traffic, and transport departments through various checkpoints and inspections in Lahore Division.
Additionally, 1,119 industrial units were inspected, resulting in the sealing of 119 units for emission control violations. Furthermore, 1,190 kilns in Lahore Division were under scrutiny, with 73 kilns were penalised for irregularities. Water sprinkling measures were ongoing across the city, focusing on 38 roads and development project sites, while 51 pyrolysis plants in the division were closed and under monitoring.
Efforts to enforce the ban on burning crop residue, garbage, and green waste led to inspections and fines by Motorway Squads, with 23 cases registered and fines imposed on violators along specific routes in Lahore Division.
