Pakistan

Punjab to shut down school, colleges in Punjab’s smog-hit areas on Friday, Saturday

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Lahore, Gujranwala among cities hit by smog.
Markets and restaurants to open for work at 3pm on Fri and Sat.
Govt offices to remain open on Fri; will start work at 3pm on Sat.

LAHORE: All schools, colleges and universities will remain closed on Friday and Saturday, as Punjab on Thursday notified measures to curb smog across the province as it impacts the daily life of citizens.

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, who chaired a high-level meeting of the Punjab Cabinet Anti-Smog Committee today, announced the provincial government’s decision during a presser in Lahore.

The smog-hit cities include Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Kasur, Sheikupura, Hafizabad, Narowal, Nankana Sahib and Sialkot.

Markets and restaurants, he added, will open for work at 3pm on Friday and Saturday, while all kinds of businesses will have to be closed on Sunday.

“Markets can remain open till night. We don’t want anyone to suffer loss, but they will have to adjust according to the situation.”

نگران وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب @MohsinnaqviC42 کی سموگ سے متعلق اہم پریس کانفرنس pic.twitter.com/5u7BBGyiRo
— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) November 23, 2023

CM Punjab said offices will remain operational on Friday but will open for work at 3pm on Saturday. These measures, the chief minister added, are being taken as Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are higher in the morning and decrease with time.

The government will also install towers to clear smog in Lahore for which, CM Punjab said, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed.

He added that the government will also provide electric bikes to 10,000 students on subsidy to curb the use of regular motorcycles which cause air pollution for which a committee has been formed to finalise suggestions. Meanwhile, government employees will also be provided e-bikes on lease.

CM Punjab said the government is considering measures for artificial rain if clouds approach Lahore on November 29.

However, that will only happen if a “specific kind of cloud” moves towards the city. The government has also decided to double the amount of water being sprinkled on the streets.

The chief minister said the main Mall Road on Sunday will only be open for bicycle users from morning till 5pm. Some of the measures, CM Naqvi said, have been taken symbolically, some are long-term, while others have been taken to break the peak of pollution in the city and province.

He also urged people to wear masks to protect their health.

Latest News

PTI and JUI (Sherani) decide to proceed by consensus.

Published

3 weeks ago

Farwa

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sherani) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have agreed to proceed together.

Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, the leader of JUI (Sherani), met with Barrister Dr. Saif, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Information Advisor.

The conference also included former senator Aslam Buledi and former federal minister Muhammad Ali Durrani.

The discussion focused on promoting reconciliation, political cooperation, and collective progress in the country. In addition, Barrister Dr. Saif read Fatiha and expressed sympathy for Maulana Sherani’s wife’s demise.

Barrister Saif recognized Maulana Sherani as a respected religious and political person, a senior member of parliament, and an expert in constitutional law during the meeting. He said that Maulana Sherani’s services are greatly valued by PTI founder Imran Khan and the party, and they hope he will play an active role in promoting trust, cooperation, and national reconciliation.

Maulana Sherani was invited to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Barrister Saif on behalf of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani emphasized the importance of reconciliation in guiding the nation away from conflict and proposed that Muhammad Ali Durrani be instrumental in promoting this process.

Business

SFD and Pakistan Sign Two Deals Totaling $1.61BLN

Published

1 month ago

Farwa

Two agreements totaling $1.61 billion have been inked by Pakistan and the Saudi Fund for Development to improve their bilateral economic cooperation.

Entertainment

‘Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan’ is a new song teased by ISPR for Solidarity Day

Published

1 month ago

Farwa

A new anthem, “Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan,” was issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday (tomorrow) in honor of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Every year on February 5, Kashmir Solidarity Day is commemorated to show solidarity with the people of Indian-Occupied Kashmir.

Renowned musician Ahmed Jahanzeb sings the song, which sends a powerful message of solidarity and dedication to the liberation fighters of Held Kashmir.

Imran Raza wrote the words, while Irfan Saleem and Kamran Khan composed the music.

The song was composed especially to commemorate the momentous day and to reaffirm support for the courageous and tenacious people of Kashmir, who are fighting for their right to self-determination, as guaranteed by the documents of united nations