Connect with us

Pakistan

Punjab govt revises lockdown imposed in smog-hit districts

Published

on

  • Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura and Kasur to face lockdown.
  • Other districts include Gujranwala Narowal, Hafizabad and Sialkot.
  • Schoolchildren experiencing eye and respiratory issues due to smog.

The Punjab government on Thursday revised the lockdown imposed in multiple districts of the province due to the prevalent smog.

In its amended notification, the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department of the province notified that call centres and international information technology companies will be allowed to operate during the lockdown.

While markets in the eight smog-hit districts will be allowed to operate today and tomorrow; however, shopping malls and markets will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. The notification also states that cinema halls, restaurants and gyms will remain open today as per routine.

The decision will remain in effect in Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala Narowal, Hafizabad and Sialkot.

A day earlier, an environmental and health emergency had been declared in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad divisions for four days due to the prevailing smog conditions.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi made the announcement during a press conference on Tuesday when the air quality index (AQI) in the city measured 390, falling under the category of hazardous.

At this AQI level, the city maintained its position as one of the most polluted cities with citizens experiencing a hazy and smoggy atmosphere throughout the day. The air quality was severely poor, making it nearly impossible to breathe normally outdoors.

Naqvi addressed the media, highlighting discussions in a detailed cabinet meeting. The meeting revealed that schoolchildren were experiencing eye and respiratory problems due to the prevailing conditions.

The cabinet was informed that four times more crop burning was occurring in India than in Pakistan, contributing to the challenges faced by the region.

Decisions made during the meeting included the implementation of Section 144 in three districts of Punjab, along with the closure of schools, colleges, and all government departments. Additionally, a holiday on November 9 was declared, resulting in the closure of educational institutions and government offices from Thursday to Sunday in specific districts, including the Lahore division, Wazirabad, Gujranwala and Nankana Sahib.

Naqvi urged citizens to wear face masks and asked them to give Lahore some respite by staying indoors during this period. He emphasised that these measures were temporary and would be strictly enforced, with strict actions against violators.

As a precautionary measure under the health and environmental emergency, the Lahore Festival has also been cancelled.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Protectors of the Highest Battlefield in the World: The Pakistan Army’s Valiant Position on Siachen Glacier

Published

on

By

Siachen, the highest battleground in the world, is a potent symbol of the bravery, sacrifices, and unwavering resolve of Pakistan Army soldiers who are always prepared to protect their country.

With unmatched tenacity and fortitude, they survive at elevations of 21,000 feet and temperatures as low as -40°C.

With courage and determination, the courageous men of the Pakistan Army spearhead every mission, from saving the lives of those suffering from oxygen shortages to rescuing wounded comrades in avalanche-prone locations.

There is no comparison to the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army to defend the country’s boundaries.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Session of the National Assembly: Government Prioritising Youth Skill Development: Ch Salik Hussain

Published

on

By

The National Assembly was informed that the government is concentrating on developing the skills of young people in order to meet the demand for skilled workers in other countries. To this end, the government has inked agreements with several countries.

Continue Reading

Latest News

PTA provides a significant update on Pakistan’s Starlink launch.

Published

on

By

Starlink applied for a license on February 24, 2022, and is currently in communication with the new regulatory body, according to a briefing given to the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT, which was chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, the PTA Chairman.

Starlink needs to register with both the PSB and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) before to starting its satellite services in Pakistan. According to the PTA Chairman, the body will proceed with further actions after the registration procedure is over.

Along with Starlink, Shanghai Space Technology is also making its debut in Pakistan, which should boost internet access and spur technical advancement in the nation.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also made it plain that until it has government approval, it is unable to grant a license to Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink.

The chairman stated that Starlink has promised to adhere to government regulations and not circumvent the system.

The committee also chose to call a meeting of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) to take up the topic of space technology regulation. Additionally, the committee asked why the PTA is assigning its duties to other groups.

Prior to the launch of Starlink in Pakistan, Elon Musk, the CEO of SPACEX, stated that he was seeking permission from the Pakistani government.

According to information, Pakistani social media user Sanam Jamali and Elon Musk had a discussion on the launch of Starlink in Pakistan on the social media site X (previously Twitter).

Sanam asked Musk to launch Starlink in Pakistan, claiming that it might open the door to a better future by giving people access to the internet and chances to advance.

In response, Musk said that he is awaiting Pakistani official approval to introduce Starlink there. Through a massive network of satellites, SpaceX’s Starlink offers internet services.

Starlink

SpaceX, a private aircraft manufacturer and space transport services provider established by Elon Musk, is the developer of the Starlink satellite internet network. The constellation uses a network of thousands of tiny satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) to deliver fast, dependable, and worldwide internet connectivity.

The way we access the internet could be completely changed by this cutting-edge technology, particularly in isolated and underdeveloped locations where conventional fiber-optic and cellular networks are scarce or nonexistent.

High-speed internet access with latency as low as 20 ms is what the Starlink constellation is intended to provide; this is on par with or even better than many current fiber-optic networks.

Every Starlink satellite includes a phased array antenna, which enables it to connect with numerous users at once, offering a flexible and high-capacity network. Fast and dependable internet connection is available to users from almost anywhere in the world with Starlink, which is an exciting advancement for digital inclusion and global connectedness.

Continue Reading

Trending