Lahore has once again claimed the title of the world’s most polluted city, with the smog situation worsening daily. The severe air quality has pushed the Punjab government to take urgent action, temporarily closing schools up to grade five across Lahore for an entire week, effective today. This move comes as a response to growing concerns about children’s health amidst the hazardous air conditions.
Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has called for cross-border collaboration, suggesting that dialogue with India could help improve the situation. She stated that a letter sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate talks, emphasizing that tackling smog requires joint efforts. Legal action is also on the table for those not following smog-related SOPs, with authorities gearing up to take strict measures against violators.
Efforts to combat smog are in full swing across Punjab, with anti-smog operations underway in cities like Narowal, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi. In Lahore, heavy vehicle entry restricted on Friday and Sunday nights to curb pollution, as per the Transport Department’s instructions. October alone saw authorities impounding 1,344 vehicles and issuing fines to over 2,300 violators, totaling 10 million rupees in penalties. Around 9,000 vehicles inspected for fitness, leading to two arrests and fitness certificates for 5,000 compliant vehicles.
As the smog season intensifies, Lahore’s residents brace themselves, hoping these measures will ease the air quality in the coming days.
