Due to the escalating severity of smog, the Punjab government has declared a health emergency in both Multan and Lahore. During a press conference, Senior Minister for Information and Environment Protection, Marriyum Aurangzeb, announced that the Health Department has been directed to take immediate and necessary action.
Aurangzeb highlighted the alarming increase in respiratory issues, with over 600,000 people affected in Punjab in just one week. She also reported 65,000 hospitalizations during the same period. In response, the government has canceled paramedical staff leave and extended outpatient department (OPD) hours until 8 PM. Rescue 1122 services have also been bolstered to provide enhanced support.
The Minister urged the public to take the smog situation seriously, emphasizing the extreme health risks associated with the pollution. She specifically warned citizens to limit motorcycle travel unless absolutely necessary.
In addition to health measures, the Punjab government has stepped up efforts to curb the pollution’s impact by enforcing earlier market closures at 8 PM. The authorities have taken strict action, sealing dozens of shops, wedding halls, and restaurants across Lahore for violating the mandated closing hours. A total of 75 shops and several wedding halls were sealed for failing to comply, while 14 restaurants were shut down for disregarding the ban on outdoor dining.
In Shalimar Tehsil, 9 shops and 3 restaurants were sealed for breaching regulations, while City Tehsil saw 4 shops shut down. In Ravi Tehsil, authorities sealed 12 shops, and in Raiwind Tehsil, 4 restaurants and 4 shops were closed for non-compliance. Cantonment Tehsil also saw 5 shops and 3 restaurants sealed, while 5 shops in Saddar Tehsil were closed for flouting the set hours.
The provincial government’s actions reflect the urgency of addressing the ongoing environmental crisis and its serious health consequences for the citizens.
