The deteriorating smog situation in Punjab has prompted Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb to declare a health emergency in Lahore and Multan, among other immediate emergency steps.

Speaking at a news conference in Lahore, Marriyum underlined the seriousness of the issue by claiming that the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore and several other cities had reached dangerously high levels, with Lahore’s AQI reaching a startling 2800.

“The countries that reduced smog received a lot of cooperation from their citizens,” she said, advising people to spend Saturday and Sunday at home. She also emphasized the media’s and actors’ and artists’ contributions to the fight against the health threat.

Marriyum claimed that she put on a mask and went out in Lahore herself, where she saw people having a good time. Because they ride motorcycles and cars without masks, they are unaware that smog can kill them. She emphasized that the mask prohibition should be enforced by the business sector.

“I shall exhort everyone who is against smog to band together. Taking everything into account, the decisions will go into effect starting next week,” the minister declared.

Important actions revealed
With the haze in Lahore and other Punjabi cities getting worse, the minister announced the following measures:

All furnace-based facilities and brick kilns in Lahore and Multan have been closed since Friday in an effort to reduce pollution.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, if nothing changes by Wednesday, there will be a total lockdown.

It will only be possible to eat at restaurants until 4 p.m.; after then, takeout will be available.

All Punjabi schools, colleges, and universities—aside from Murree—have extended their holidays and been directed to switch to online instruction.

As of Friday, construction has been prohibited in Multan and Lahore.

Holidays for paramedical workers have been canceled, and hospital outpatient departments will now be open until 8 p.m.

EAQ oil projects and e-bikes are in the works. Lahore is introducing e-buses in response to the environmental condition.

More than 40,000 smog-affected people are receiving treatment in hospitals, according to Marriyum Aurangzeb, who also recommended people to minimize their outside activities and wear masks, especially when riding motorcycles. She stated her desire to testify before the Lahore High Court, which is considering a case pertaining to smog, and inform the judge of the government’s actions.

“A public campaign called ‘Detox Lahore’ has been launched to raise awareness about smog and its life-threatening effects,” she said, adding that “currently, our health has turned into a smog health crisis.” “People are requested to go out on motorcycles only for essential work, and that too while wearing masks,” she stated.

The chief minister began working on smog in March, Aurangzeb emphasized, and a plan was developed by considering all the variables that contribute to haze. A 10-year climate change and smog policy was put into place by the Punjab government. It included converting brick kilns to zigzag technology after destroying 800 kilns to cut emissions, encouraging eco-friendly transportation by introducing electric buses and e-bikes in Lahore, and giving farmers super seeders at 60% off the price to cut down on stubble burning.

The chief minister was personally reviewing the departments’ adherence to the smog policy, she said. In Punjab, there was no rule requiring motorcycles to be inspected for fitness, and vehicles were not checked. “We have received three gas analysers, which will be given to the traffic police for inspecting vehicles,” Aurangzeb stated.

As the two nations are unable to alter the wind direction, the minister emphasized that smog is not just a problem in Pakistan but also impacts people’s life in Punjab, India. “Smog knows no borders; it’s a matter of life and death for both countries,” she said, calling for collaboration to face the threat.

In order to secure adherence to the mask mandate and other measures, Marriyum Aurangzeb made an appeal to the public and commercial sectors. She threatened to implement further stringent measures, including a potential lockdown that would last until Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, if the smog situation did not improve by the middle of the week.

In closing, Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, “Countries that eradicated smog were successful due to public cooperation. We must follow suit in order to safeguard our future and well-being.