Lockdown returns as smog thickens

The Punjab government on Friday took desperate mitigation measures, including lockdowns reminiscent of the Covid-19 era, as thick, toxic smog choked major cities, triggering a public health crisis across the province as its administrative capital continues to rank the world's most polluted city.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced the imposition of health emergency in Lahore and Multan divisions, along with a province-wide closure of all educational institutions for another week. She also announced lockdowns over the weekend in Lahore and Multan divisions.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Aurangzeb, also the provincial minister for environment, said that nearly 150,000 people visited hospitals for smog-related ailments in the one-month period, including 7,165 patients in just one week in Lahore.

"Smog has turned into a health crisis. But unfortunately, the people don't understand that smog can cause death," Aurangzeb said. "For this reason, health emergency is being implemented in Lahore and Multan division for one week," she added.

"The leave of all doctors and paramedical staff has been cancelled. All public and private schools, colleges and universities across the province except Murree, will be closed for one week. The educational institutions will provide online classes," the minister announced.

The senior minister also announced a complete lockdown in Lahore and Multan on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. "Construction works, brick kilns, furnace mills and emission producing establishments in these divisions will remain closed for a week. Restaurant will close by 4pm, with takeaway service till 8 pm."

She justified the fresh restrictions, saying that despite a bad environmental situation, there was no reduction in traffic, while families with children were walking around without masks, adding that masks had been worn only when distributed.

The minister also announced the start of a "detox campaign" to fight smog. Under the long-term policy the government was making plans for [smoke-emitting] Qingqi rickshaws and motorcycles. She added that there would be check on petrol quality at the fuel stations.

In response to a question, the minister stated that the government did not have air-quality (AQ) monitors, adding that more than 100 AQ monitors were required in Punjab. The government, she added, had purchased 50 monitors this year, 12 of which would be installed in Lahore.

"Smog has become a national calamity; not only in Lahore but also in areas from Multan to Abbottabad. Smog is the problem for the people of India and Pakistan, so both the countries will have to sit together. It is a matter of life and death, smog is death," she warned.

"Precautionary measures have been taken like those taken during the Coronavirus [pandemic in 2020-21]. Precautionary measures will have to be taken in the prevailing smog situation," she said. However, she stressed that smog would not end in just six months or a year.

The senior Punjab minister further stated that the government was introducing short-term plans of three months and targets had been given to various departments. Besides, she added, all departments had drawn a 10-year plan for the first time.

Lahore was the most polluted city on Friday again as the pollution level on the AQ index oscillated between 1,520 and 780 in various neighbourhoods – compared with 0-50 safe reading. The senior provincial minister acknowledged that the AQ index remained at an alarming rate throughout the year.

Because of the smog, the air and railway traffic operations were also affected on Friday, as more than 20 international and domestic flights to and from Lahore Airport were delayed and two had been cancelled. Similarly, several trains were running behind the schedule.

Aurangzeb said that suggestions were pouring in from around the world as to how to tackle smog. However, those proposals were already part of the Chief Minister's plan, she added. She also mentioned that the Lahore High Court Justice Shahid Karim had formed a judicial commission on the issue.

Justice Shahid Karim, meanwhile, continued hearing of applications related to smog problem at the LHC. He observed during the hearing that a 10-year policy should be framed on this issue. He told the advocate general to discuss long-term policy on smog with the chief minister upon her return.

Justice Shahid Karim praised the government initiative to run e-buses in the province. The advocate general informed the court that these buses would hit the road before June next year. "The Punjab government is seriously working on addressing the smog issue," he said.

The top provincial lawyer said that the government was taking steps regarding food security, mitigating flood by securing rainwater, amendments to the Land Acquisition Act to prevent construction of housing societies on agricultural land. Later, the hearing was adjourned until next week.