Lahore extends smog restrictions, schools closed until November 24

Indoor events at wedding halls will run till 10 PM, while outdoor activities, including sports, are banned.

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In light of the severe effects of smog in Lahore, restrictions imposed in Punjab's provincial capital have been extended until November 24.

All universities and colleges will conduct classes online, and schools will subsequently remain closed until November 24.

These measures, which apply from November 16 to 24, will be enforced strictly, and violators will face action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Government offices will operate with only 50% of staff working online, and departmental meetings will be held virtually. Only essential employees will be called to the office. The Punjab government has issued a directive to all secretaries, commissioners, deputy commissioners, and senior officials regarding this.

Indoor events at wedding halls will continue until 10 PM, adhering to SOPs, while outdoor activities, including sports events, exhibitions, and festivals, will be completely banned.

A complete ban has been imposed on construction activities within Lahore’s jurisdiction for one week, though national priority construction projects will be exempt.

Additionally, heavy vehicles will not be allowed into the city, with exceptions for passenger buses with fitness certificates, rescue and police vehicles, and those transporting medicines, medical supplies, food, and fuel.

All markets must close by 8 PM, but pharmacies, medical stores, healthcare facilities, vaccination centres, petrol pumps, oil depots, tandoors, bakeries, sweet shops, flour mills, milk and dairy shops will remain open.

E-commerce, call centres, postal services, courier services, utility stores, electricity, gas, internet, telecom services, passport offices, NADRA centres, hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and medical stores are also exempt from the restrictions.

Law enforcement personnel and religious ceremonies, including funerals, burials, and related events, will not be affected. Utility companies, WASA, municipalities, NTDC, DISCOs, and SNGPL will also remain unaffected.

Large departmental stores will only keep their pharmacy sections open, with all other sections closing after 8 PM. A complete ban has been imposed on brick kilns and industries using furnaces.

Restaurants will not be allowed to offer indoor dining after 4 PM, and there will be a complete ban on takeaways and outdoor dining after 8 PM. Additionally, food consumption will not be permitted in restaurant parking areas after 4 PM.

Doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff have had their holidays cancelled. OPDs at all hospitals will function until 8 PM, and special counters will be set up at both public and private hospitals for smog-related patients. Rescue 1122 will provide priority assistance to affected individuals and will be responsible for responding to smog-related calls.

Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Syed Musa Rizvi, urged the public to take precautionary measures during the smog and fully cooperate with the restrictions. He advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and wear masks. Strict actions will be taken against violators without exception.

For further information or complaints, citizens can contact the DC office control room via WhatsApp at 03070002345 or reach out through the office’s social media platforms.

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.