Anti-smog squad formed as air quality worsens
A man walks with a bicycle along a bridge amid heavy smog conditions near Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, on December 6, 2019. PHOTO: AFP
The Ministry of Environmental Protection has established an anti-smog squad for the Rawalpindi district as there is a continuous and dangerous increase in smog and air quality index in the twin cities of Rawalpindi, Islamabad and the five districts of Rawalpindi range, including Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and Mianwali.
The seven-member squad has also been empowered to impose a fine of Rs50,000 to Rs100,000 on the spot and seal the factory or kiln emitting dangerous gases.
The squad has been issued strict orders to launch a major crackdown on all smoke-emitting machinery including smoke-emitting factories, large bakeries and brick kilns in all five districts of the Rawalpindi range from Monday [tomorrow].
The in-charge of this anti-squad team will be Senior Research Officer Deputy Director of the Environment Protection Department, Muhammad Amin Baig, while the members will include Naseer Ahmed, Shaukat Ali, Muhammad Arshad, Amanullah and Shafiqur Rehman.
When contacted, Amin Baig, in charge of the anti-smog squad, said that the notification of the squad has been issued. “From tomorrow, we will start operations against all smoke-emitting factories and kilns,” he said and added that a zero-tolerance policy would be adopted in this regard.
Baig explained that the teams of the squad will start operations in all five districts from Monday and any smoke-emitting machinery will not be exempted.
The current Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached an alarming level of 190 in the garrison city, 186 in the federal capital and 150 to 170 in the other four districts.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2022.