Section 144 imposed in Islamabad to curb air pollution

The Islamabad administration has implemented Section 144 to address air pollution in the federal capital.

This directive, issued by the Additional District Magistrate, aims to tackle the rising levels of harmful emissions in the area, Express news reported.

According to the notification, a ban has been imposed on the release of toxic gases from vehicles, factories, and brick kilns, as well as on the burning of waste and crops throughout the district. The orders take effect immediately and will remain in force for two months. Violators of these regulations will face strict legal action.

The air quality index (AQI) in Islamabad has reached unhealthy levels, with a PM2.5 reading of 169, according to the World Air Quality Index.

In Punjab, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has declared a smog calamity and initiated measures for mitigation.

A notification from the PDMA has prohibited activities contributing to smog, including crop residue burning, the operation of vehicles emitting visible smoke, and industries without emission control systems.

The readings by The World Air Quality Index Project showed a spike in the PM2.5 matter for Saturday shortly after Friday's Diwali celebrations in neighbouring New Delhi which saw the extensive use of fireworks in the Indian capital despite a government ban.

This rise in particulate matter has raised health concerns, with warnings indicating emergency conditions for the city’s residents.

In response to the smog crisis, the Punjab government has allocated a budget of Rs10 billion for smog mitigation and Rs100 billion for environmental initiatives.

At a recent forum on smog solutions, Punbjab Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb emphasised the importance of climate diplomacy, with plans for dialogue with Indian officials regarding climate issues.

She noted that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has prioritised strategies to tackle smog, moving towards a "green lockdown" approach to minimise disruptions, unlike previous years that saw complete shutdowns or school closures.