Punjab’s Caretaker Chief Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, has called for an important meeting to address the pressing issue of smog and air pollution in the province, particularly in Lahore.
The proposed measures being considered include the closure of educational institutions, commercial markets, factories, and offices in the provincial capital on Wednesdays. The meeting will be attended by provincial ministers, the chief secretary, the police chief, environmental experts, and other relevant officials.
The final decision, reached through consensus among all stakeholders after reviewing the smog situation, will be communicated to the public through a press conference by the provincial ministers of information and environment.
This initiative comes as the government considers imposing restrictions similar to those employed during the coronavirus pandemic to combat the worsening smog issue in Lahore. It is expected that a complete shutdown on Wednesdays, with all schools, markets, and factories closed, will be part of the measures.
Additionally, government departments are proposed to operate with 50% staffing on Wednesdays and to conduct snap-checking on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) to enforce compliance.
The authorities are considering imposing heavy fines and potential shutdowns for factories that violate environmental regulations, as factory emissions contribute to only 7% of Lahore’s overall pollution. Notably, smog levels are highest during the first three days of the week, from Monday to Wednesday.
Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa also mentioned the potential implementation of a work-from-home policy for two months to address smog concerns in the Lahore Division.
