Central Pakistan Declared "Smog Calamity" hit

Green Watch Monitoring Report

Pakistan's Punjab province government has taken drastic measures to combat the severe smog crisis gripping the province, declaring it a "calamity" and ordering special education schools to send students with respiratory conditions on a three-month leave.

Air Quality Reaches "Very Unhealthy" Levels

On Thursday, Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 201, ranking it the second most polluted city globally, according to (link unavailable) The World Health Organization considers an AQI below 50 safe for breathing. Earlier, on Monday night, Lahore was the most polluted city in the world, touching 708 AQI points.

Regional Government Bans Pollution-Causing Activities

To mitigate the crisis, the Punjab government has prohibited:

1. Burning crop residues, solid waste, tires, rubber, and plastics.

2. Vehicles emitting visible smoke and pollutants.

3. Industries operating without emission control systems.

4. Stone crushers without wet scrubbers.

5. Sale and use of sub-standard fuels.

6. Encroachments and parking hindering traffic flow.

Protecting Vulnerable Students

Special education schools have been ordered to grant three-month leaves to students with conditions susceptible to poor air quality, including:

1. Broncho-vascular diseases (asthma, tuberculosis, pulmonary problems).

2. Cardio-vascular diseases (angina, coronary artery disease).

3. Immunodeficiency (Covid-19).

The leave will take effect from November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025.

Government Vows Action Against Polluters

Punjab government warned that negligent officers would face action and emphasized the need for public support in combating environmental pollution. The government has directed the administration to conduct a vigorous anti-smog awareness campaign and stressed that the mission to remediate smog will not stop under any circumstance.

"Green Lockdown" Implemented

The Punjab government also announced a "green lockdown" in designated smog hotspots, restricting activities such as:

1. Barbecue joints.

2. Motorcycle rickshaws.

3. Marriage halls.

Regional Government Under fire 

Air quality experts deem the measures insufficient and poorly planned, questioning the government's data on smog contributors. Experts argue that one can observe smog around Lahore even in June, wondering about the cause of smog in summer. 

Call for Climate Diplomacy

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reiterated her call for climate diplomacy with India to address the smog crisis. Nawaz emphasized the need for joint efforts with Indian Punjab to tackle the issue.