Speaker calls special session on smog crisis

LAHORE:

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has scheduled a special session on Wednesday to address the escalating smog crisis in Lahore and nearby areas.

Citing the critical levels of air pollution, Speaker Khan emphasised the urgency of the situation, warning that the region's air quality cannot be overlooked any longer.

Simultaneously, Speaker Khan and several minority Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) voiced frustrations over inadequate security arrangements at religious sites for minority communities.

Speaker Khan questioned the lack of effective security measures and expressed disappointment with the responses provided by the concerned departments.

During the session, Speaker Khan criticised Provincial Minority Minister Ramesh Singh Arora after the latter failed to satisfactorily address questions regarding protection for minority worship places.

The speaker challenged whether Arora had engaged with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab or other officials on the issue, stressing that recent attacks have left minority communities in fear. "Why are proper answers not being provided by the relevant departments?" Speaker Khan demanded, reminding the House of violent incidents in Jaranwala and Yuhanabad.

Minister Arora responded that the Home Department is primarily responsible for securing these sites and proposed forming a committee comprising the IGP, Home Secretary, and Law Minister to address these ongoing security issues.

Minority MPAs Emmanuel Ather and Falbous Christopher also expressed dissatisfaction, asserting that constitutional protections are not being upheld at the local level, which affects Punjab's overall progress.

Additionally, MPA Hameeda Waheed ud Din presented a resolution advocating for a ban on certain activities during wedding ceremonies. She highlighted that events inviting eunuchs and dancers have become venues for intolerable incidents, calling for legislation to prohibit "immoral and objectionable" practices.