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Punjab imposed smart lockdowns in 10 districts on Saturday to combat the worsening smog situation in the province.
The lockdowns came as the Air Quality Index once again crossed 400 in Lahore, making it the world’s most polluted city.
The 10 districts where smart lockdowns have been imposed include Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin.
A notification by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority said that all movement and economic activities will be limited in the 10 districts. Schools and Universities will also remain closed.
However, markets, gyms, and cinemas will be allowed to open after 3 pm.
It is worth mentioning here that amid the worsening smog situation in Lahore, the Punjab government has started planning to carry out artificial rain in the provincial capital later this month. This will be the first of its kind experiment in the country.
In this regard, a meeting was held with Provincial Environment Minister Bilal Afzal and Education Minister Mansoor Qadir in the chair which discussed the evaluation of short, medium and long-term measures to control smog in the city.
Secretary Environment Rashid Kamalur Rehman, representatives of the Environment Protection Department, SPARCO and various universities participated in the meeting.
Consultation on artificial rainfall to eliminate smog was also held and it was decided that preparations should be made regarding artificial rain on November 28 or 29, when there is possibility of a cloudy weather.
The provincial minister said that a team and working group should be formed to provide artificial rain which will consult on providing aircraft to carry out artificial rain.
Bilal Afzal said that clouds were necessary and the working group would have to consider all aspects of the artificial rain. The final proposals of the working group will be sent to the chief minister for approval, he said.
Punjab districts including Lahore Jhang, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Nankana, Bahawalnagar and Sheikhupura are experiencing the worst air pollution.
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court has ordered the authorities to close all schools and colleges on Nov 18 in smog-hit districts. The court also directed the government to implement a work-from-home policy for two days a week.
