ahoris may soon be forced into a lockdown akin to the one they experienced in the early days of the Coronavirus pandemic. This time around it’s meant to combat smog.

The divisional administration recently announced a prospective plan to close all commercial markets in the provincial capital and adjacent districts on Wednesdays, starting October 18. The arrangement will continue for two months. Additionally, the administration is contemplating closure of schools and public and private organisations, with the adoption of a work-from-home policy. All this is subject to approval from the Punjab government.

A spokesperson for the government says the final decision on the mid-week market holiday and other measures to prevent smog will be taken in the upcoming meeting of the caretaker cabinet. Expert recommendations and suggestions for anti-smog measures are currently under review by a cabinet committee.

The proposal to close schools has raised concerns among civil society activists. Advocate Ahmed Rafay Alam, an environmentalist, points out that the Punjab caretaker government had earlier adopted an anti-air-pollution policy that focused on addressing issues related to smoke-emitting automobiles and industries and did not mention shutting down schools or offices.

He is of the view that the government needs to check the problematic vehicles and industries instead of closing schools, to ensure that children can go to school in a clean environment. He fears that the government’s priorities may be misplaced.

The lockdown is said to have been proposed in response to the Lahore High Court’s recent ruling with regard to improving air quality in the city. On October 6, Justice Shahid Karim, hearing multiple petitions that addressed environmental concerns, including air pollution and smog, had ordered the Lahore Development Authority to guard against initiating any construction projects in the city without prior court approval.

Strict adherence to environmental protocols is required for ongoing projects, the judge noted.

It may be mentioned here that a host of construction projects are currently under way in the city, including the Shahdara flyover, the Bedian Underpass, the Akbar Chowk Flyover and Khalid Butt Underpass in Cavalry Ground. The court order is expected to impact at least two new projects, namely the Ring Road Extension and Niazi Interchange Road, which cannot commence until the winter season is over.

Advocate Ahmed Rafay Alam says the government needs to check the problematic vehicles and industries instead of closing schools, to ensure that children can go to school in a clean environment.

very year at the outset of the winter season, the devil of smog rears its ugly head. It is said to be the result of several factors including burning of crop stubble, general air quality and the drop in temperatures. At the time of filing this story, Lahore recorded an AQI of 175, making it a city with dismal air quality.

Nawaz Khan, a resident of Falcon Complex, near Kalma Chowk, says that every development project that involves construction brings with it a substantial amount of dust and health issues. He says that over the past four years particularly, the area has seen unending construction activity. (The construction projects have included the remodelling of Kalma Chowk and the Central Business District layout.)

Khan says that the people in the neighbourhood have had a tough time breathing in toxic air, besides finding it difficult to commute to work.

Economist Dr Qais Aslam says the court decision to halt development projects will impact the industry. He worries that closing down or slowing down industrial activity can adversely affect the economy. He proposes adoption of modern innovations to minimise pollution, such as the introduction of zigzag technology in brick kilns.

Dr Aslam says that smog is a transnational issue, and solutions should be developed in collaboration with the government of Indian Punjab.

Journalist Rubab Zahra, who covers environmental issues, suggests that in order to combat smog bicycle culture should be promoted on city roads and the use of motor vehicles should be restricted.

A spokesperson for the caretaker government says that the proposed interventions, including the closure of schools and offices, are contingent upon cabinet approval. The government is currently trying to convince market representatives that a mid-weekly holiday — on Wednesdays, that is — would help improve the city’s air quality. (The AQI levels are said to peak between Tuesdays and Thursdays.)

Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa says the administration has invoked Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code to prohibit the burning of stubble in agricultural fields across all districts of the Lahore division. He says the entry of tractor-trolleys carrying sand and other materials into the city without proper cover has also been banned. Strict action will be taken against those responsible for permitting smoke-emitting vehicles to enter or operate in Lahore, he says.

The writer is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship