Punjab imposes restrictions to combat smog

LAHORE: Due to worsening smog conditions, the Punjab government has imposed strict restrictions on commercial markets and outdoor activities in four districts, mandating closing all businesses after 8pm.

According to an order issued by the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Multan are among the affected districts. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore reached 407, with similarly high levels in Multan and other districts.

In response to directives from the Lahore High Court, preparations are underway for a major crackdown on heavy vehicles and motorcycles emitting smoke. The transport department has established 41 squads to enforce these measures.

The order issued by the DG EPA stated that the Punjab government is making extensive efforts to mitigate factors contributing to air pollution. The EPA and other relevant departments have initiated pre-emptive actions against pollution sources.

The Health Advisory System for Critical Air Pollution Events (HAS-CAPEs), notified on December 13, 2022, held its first Provincial CAPEs Committee meeting on October 21, 2024. The committee declared Lahore as experiencing a critical air pollution event. Since then, similar critical events have also been declared in Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala, where the average AQI exceeded the hazardous limit of 500, posing severe risks to public health.

The worsening air quality has led to an unprecedented rise in cases of respiratory diseases, allergies, eye and throat irritation, and conjunctivitis. These health threats have made it essential to implement measures to control and prevent the spread of these diseases.

In his order, the EPA DG invoked Section 6(1)(t) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, which empowers the EPA to take necessary actions to protect and improve the environment, control pollution, and promote sustainable development. “THEREFORE, I, Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh (PAS), Director General, Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab, hereby impose the following restrictions in the districts of Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala,” the order stated.

It mandates the closure of all outdoor activities, including sports events, exhibitions, and festivals, as well as outdoor dining at restaurants. Religious congregations and essential religious rites, such as Namaz-e-Janaza, are exempt, along with shops, markets, and malls, which must close by 8pm.

The order exempts certain essential services, including pharmacies, medical facilities, labs, vaccination centres, petrol pumps, tandoors, bakeries, grocery stores, dairy shops, sweet shops, and utility services (electricity, gas, internet, and telecom). Large department stores may keep only their grocery and pharmacy sections open, while all other sections must remain closed. Additional exemptions may be granted by the deputy commissioner of each district as needed.

The DG also stated that any violations of this order would be punishable under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The restrictions take effect on November 11, 2024, and will remain in place until November 17, 2024, with further instructions to be issued on that date.

Senior Provincial Minister Mariyum Aurangzeb said that Indian journalists have recently commented on Punjab’s smog situation, suggesting that Pakistan was blaming India for the pollution. She clarified that the government is presenting facts supported by scientific evidence, not casting blame.

Meanwhile, the MET office reported that a westerly wave affecting the upper parts of the country is expected to persist until Tuesday morning. They forecast mostly dry weather for most areas, with colder temperatures in hilly regions during the night and morning hours. Cloudy weather with isolated rain, wind, thunderstorms, and light snowfall over high mountains is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan. Smog is likely to continue in the plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and most of Punjab, with dense fog during morning and night hours.

On Monday, the lowest temperature recorded was -2°C in Leh, while Lahore’s minimum temperature was 17.8°C, with a maximum of 26.5°C.