| Lahore: In response to worsening air quality across Punjab, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has officially declared smog a calamity and introduced strict measures to combat the growing health crisis. The PDMA’s announcement includes a ban on all activities that contribute to smog, initiating a province-wide crackdown on smoke-emitting industries and vehicles.
According to a notification from PDMA Punjab, banned activities now include burning crop residue, emissions from visibly smoke-producing vehicles, all industrial operations without adequate emission controls, stone crushing without scrubbers, and the burning of solid waste, tires, rubber, and plastic. Additionally, the sale and use of sub-standard fuels are prohibited.
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The notification grants deputy commissioners the authority to act as relief commissioners to enforce these measures and take steps to mitigate smog levels. Air quality in Punjab, particularly in Lahore, has become critically poor with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 276, ranking Lahore as the second-most polluted city globally and the most polluted in Pakistan.
As part of its smog prevention strategy, the Punjab administration has banned construction in highly polluted zones, including Queen Mary Road, Shimla Pahari, Empress Road, Davis Road, and Kashmir Road. To further curb pollution, barbeque restaurants must close by 8 p.m., and marriage halls by 10 p.m.
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In a statement addressing the health impact, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed that special needs students and individuals with health conditions should attend online classes rather than in-person schooling due to the high pollution levels.
To enforce compliance, the Punjab government has already demolished nine brick kilns and four industrial units found in violation of the smog control regulations. The EPA has imposed fines totaling Rs. 120,000 on smoke-emitting vehicles and is conducting round-the-clock digital surveillance to monitor emissions. The EPA has also pledged to protect the four million trees planted to improve the environment.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb underscored the government’s commitment to environmental protection, announcing tree plantation requirements along road shoulders of development projects. She urged the public to report any smoke-emitting activities to hotline 1373, promising swift action from the EPA to enforce anti-smog measures.
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These comprehensive actions come as Punjab intensifies efforts to safeguard public health amid the escalating smog crisis affecting millions. |
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