The Punjab government has declared smog as a calamity under the Section 3 of the Punjab National Calamities Act of 1958.
According to a notification issued by the Punjab government, all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across the province have been granted the powers of relief commissioners.
These DCs are now authorised to take necessary measures to control smog in their respective areas.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also instructed administrations across Punjab to intensify their anti-smog efforts. saying “Actions will be taken against those showing negligence or irresponsibility in implementing these measures,” said a spokesperson from the PDMA.
In Lahore, smog has led to green lockdowns in several areas. Across the province, there is a ban on burning crop residues, solid waste, tires, plastic, polythene bags, rubber, and leather. The green lockdown is enforced in different areas of Lahore, including Davis Road, Kashmir Road, Abbott Road, and Shimla Pahari, and will remain in effect until November 4.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also said that she is thinking of writing a letter to India’s Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann in this regard, adding that it is impossible to fight smog without without mutual corr operation.
The school timings in were also changed in the last week of October.According to the notification schools across the provincial capital will open from 8:45am to 2:45pm on weekdays. On Fridays, the school will end at 1:45pm.The school timings have been changed for the next three months and will be effective from October 28 to January 31, 2025.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikander Hayat has also hinted at announcing smog holidays in Lahore due to the continuously deteriorating smog situation.
The AQI in Pakistan has been recorded at “hazardous” levels since mid-October, raising concerns for the health of citizens.Check live AQI here.
