LAHORE: The spokesperson for Lahore’s Safe City Authority, Tauseef Sabih Gondal, said that over 300 smoke-emitting vehicles have been issued electronic fines through Artificial Intelligence technology.
He announced that strict actions are being taken against factors contributing to smog, with monitoring being conducted on the city’s major roads as well as its entry and exit points.
Additionally, actions are being taken against those setting fire to garbage. Measures are also being enforced against vehicles that are spreading dust, dirt, and debris on the roads.
Meanwhile, in Punjab, the severe fog and smog are disrupting daily life. In several districts, the air quality index (AQI) remains extremely harmful to health.
Rojhan, a city in Punjab, holds the top spot for the most polluted area in the country, with air pollution levels reaching a hazardous 535 particulate matter (PM). Lahore ranks second in the list of the most polluted cities, both in the country and globally.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that smog is going to get increase in the upcoming weeks. According to the advisory, the smog is expected to significantly impact Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan, with peak levels likely in the morning and evening hours.
The toxic smog in Pakistan is now can be seen from the space, satellite imagery from NASA’s worldview showed. In the picture, a huge and thick cloud of gray smog over Pakistan’s Lahore and the Indian capital New Delhi is quite visible.
Punjab Government Contributions:
On Friday, Punjab authorities shuttered all parks, playgrounds, museums, zoos and historical sites in 18 districts for 10 days.
New restrictions extended the ban to all outdoor activities including outdoor sports events, exhibitions, festivals, and outdoor dining at restaurants in Punjab. Markets, shops, and malls are to close by 8pm local time.
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency has also ordered to installation of air purifiers across all districts of Punjab due to the toxic smog.
Apart from this, the government is considering testing artificial rain in Rawalpindi.
