Editorial
The recent decisions taken by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif at the Cabinet Committee on Anti-Smog reflect a long overdue and fundamentally correct shift in public policy. Punjab’s worsening air quality leaves no room for compromise, and bold measures are essential if the province is to protect public health and reverse decades of environmental degradation. The ban on producing petrol-powered motorcycle rickshaws and the gradual phase-out of petrol motorcycles are ambitious but necessary steps. Similarly, restricting government departments to electric and hybrid vehicles signals a clear and forward-looking commitment to sustainability. These initiatives must be fully implemented because the cost of inaction is far greater than the discomfort of transition.
However, environmental reform cannot rely solely on government orders. Citizens must be prepared to adopt changes in their personal habits and social attitudes. The ban on washing vehicles with water at home, the introduction of colour-coded waste bins and strict penalties against burning plastic or toxic materials will only be effective if people understand their purpose. It is essential to cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility through public education, community engagement and curriculum reform so that citizens internalise these measures as part of their daily lives.
Punjab’s expanding monitoring infrastructure, from air-quality networks and smog guns to satellite-based surveillance, represents a major administrative achievement. The establishment of rapid-response centres, widespread demolitions of polluting units, and the province’s largest anti-plastic campaign show that enforcement is finally catching up with policy intent. Yet long-term transformation depends on awareness campaigns, school certification programmes, responsive digital platforms and active citizen participation. The government has chosen the right direction; the public must now walk with it, turning short-term restrictions into lasting environmental reform.
