Punjab extends 'green lockdown' as smog thickens

LAHORE:

The Punjab government banned most outdoor activities and imposed restrictions on the retail sector across four districts of the province on Monday, while complying with a directive of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in the wake of hazardous smog that showed no sign of dissipating.

The provincial government ordered all retail businesses in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala to pull their shutters down by 8pm, except for pharmacies, laboratories, vaccination centres, and other essential services as defined by law.

A notification issued on Monday stated that pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, vaccination centres, oil depots, tandoors, bakeries, grocery stores, fruit and vegetable shops, meat shops, e-commerce, postal and courier services, and utility services were exempt from these closures.

According to the notification, large departmental stores, however, might only keep their grocery and pharmacy sections open. Besides, the government also banned outdoor activities, including sports programmes, exhibitions, outdoor restaurant seating, and public gatherings after 8pm.

The police had been instructed to enforce these measures strictly to help reduce atmospheric pollution in the affected cities. The notification warned that strict action will be taken for any violations of these restrictions.

"Wedding halls, shops, and business centres will shut by 8pm," a senior police officer said. The law-enforcement is working alongside the environment protection department and the district administrations to ensure compliance of the notification, he added.

The Lahore police have also been tasked with implementing the anti-smog measures, including legal action against businesses and wedding halls if they violated the restrictions – dubbed the "green lockdown" to address the city's critical air pollution levels.

Punjab is currently in the grip of smog with its capital, Lahore, being the most polluted city in the world. Data indicate that Lahore's air quality index (AQI) is nearly 74 times above the World Health Organization's recommended limit, reaching a hazardous level of 588 on average.

In various city areas on Monday, the AQI levels range from 565 to as high as 1,045, but this was significantly lower than the 1,900 level the index touched in places earlier this month. A score of 0-50 is considered good.

The primary pollutant in Lahore's air, PM2.5, consists of fine particulate matter that is hazardous to human health due to its microscopic size. PM2.5 particulates are less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter—about 3% the thickness of a human hair.

As these particulates are light and remain airborne for extended periods, they pose a higher risk of inhalation. These are small enough to evade the body's natural defences, penetrating deep into the lungs and even entering the bloodstream, leading to even fatal diseases.

As Punjab takes these initial steps, Lahore's residents are urged to limit outdoor activities, use air purifiers where possible, and wear masks to reduce exposure to airborne pollutants. The Punjab Environmental Department is expected to adjust lockdown measures as necessary.

The new restrictions will also remain in force until November 17. The Punjab government said late on Sunday that the districts of Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala had seen an unprecedented rise in patients with respiratory diseases, eye and throat irritation, and pink eye disease.

The government has already closed educational institutions and public spaces like parks and zoos until November 17 in places, including Lahore, according to Swiss group IQAir's live ratings.

Unicef on Monday also called for greater efforts to reduce pollution and protect children's health in Punjab, saying that more than 11 million children under-5 are in danger as they breathe the toxic air.

"In addition, schools in smog-affected areas have been closed...the learning of almost 16 million children in Punjab has been disrupted," said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in the country. "Pakistan, already in the grips of an education emergency...cannot afford more learning losses," he said.

(WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)