The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has declared a smog emergency and called for immediate actions to reduce smog in the province. The government has started cracking down on factories and vehicles that emit smoke.
According to a PDMA notification, all activities that cause smog are now banned in Punjab. This includes burning crop leftovers, operating vehicles that produce visible smoke, and running factories without pollution controls. Other banned activities are using dirty fuels and burning waste materials like tires, rubber, and plastic.
Deputy commissioners have been given the power to act as relief commissioners to manage and reduce smog, as stated in the notification.
Every winter, Punjab faces severe air pollution due to the mix of smoke and fog, leading to high smog levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that Lahore has an air quality index (AQI) of 276, making it one of the most polluted cities in the world.
To fight the increasing smog, the government has banned construction in heavily polluted areas like Queen Marry Road and Shimla Pahari. Additionally, barbeque restaurants must close by 8 PM, and marriage halls by 10 PM.
Given the poor air quality, Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has ordered that children, especially those with health issues, should not attend schools. Online classes will be arranged for special needs children.
The Punjab government has shut down 9 brick kilns and 4 factories for breaking smog rules.
The EPA has fined smoke-emitting vehicles Rs120,000 and committed to enforcing environmental standards. They are also monitoring tree health for the 4 million trees planted to improve air quality.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzaib stated that trees will be planted alongside roads in development projects. She described smog as a dangerous problem and encouraged people to report smoke by calling 1373. The EPA promises to take quick action against those who violate smog regulations.
