Punjab Govt Declares Health Emergency as Smog Crisis Hits Lahore and Multan
LAHROE, November 15, 2024: In response to the rapidly worsening air quality, the provincial government of Punjab has declared a health emergency in Lahore and Multan, the two cities most severely impacted by the ongoing smog crisis.
The region’s air pollution has reached alarming levels, with Lahore ranked as the most polluted city in the world and Multan topping the list of the most polluted cities in Pakistan, according to Swiss air quality monitoring group IQAir.
Senior Minister for Information and Environment Protection, Marriyum Aurangzeb, announced on Friday that school closures in smog-affected areas will be extended for another week.
Read More: Punjab Government Closes Schools in Lahore for One Week Due to Severe Smog
“The health and safety of students are our priority, and schools will remain closed in the affected districts due to hazardous air quality,” she said during a press conference.
Colleges and universities will shift to online classes to minimize exposure to the toxic air.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the provincial capital dropped as low as 732 this morning before improving slightly to 669 by 1 pm, according to IQAir.
This has prompted authorities to impose a series of stringent measures aimed at combating the smog.
In addition to the extended school closures, the government has imposed a ban on most outdoor activities until November 17 in eight districts engulfed by thick smog.
Dining in restaurants, shops, and shopping malls will be restricted to takeaway services after 8 pm, and new operating hours for restaurants in Lahore and Multan have been set, allowing them to remain open until 4 pm.
In an effort to further reduce pollution, the government has also announced a ban on construction activities in both cities starting this Saturday until the following Sunday.
A full lockdown will be enforced in Lahore and Multan over the weekend, from Friday through Sunday, as authorities continue to monitor air quality and assess the situation.
Also Read More: Smog Crisis Engulfs Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, and Multan Face Hazardous Air Quality
The government will review the data on Wednesday to determine if additional measures are needed.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and will take further steps if necessary,” Minister Aurangzeb stated, underscoring the urgency of tackling the air pollution crisis before it further impacts public health.
With the smog crisis intensifying, the government’s health emergency declaration and emergency measures aim to protect residents from the hazardous effects of toxic air.