Amid the deteriorating conditions caused by smog in the province, theinterim government of Punjab has made some crucial decisions. According tosources, educational institutions will now observe four weekly holidays,from Thursday to Sunday, while businesses in Lahore will have two holidayson Saturdays and Sundays.
The city of Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest, is grappling with severeair pollution and smog issues. Asthma cases are on the rise, with anaverage of ten thousand cases reported daily.
Lahore currently holds the unenviable second position on the list of theworld’s most polluted cities. Air Quality Index data reveals that Lahore’sair quality is dangerously detrimental to health, with an air pollutionindex of 281 particulate meters
. It’s worth noting that the Provincial Disaster Management Authority ofPunjab has officially classified smog as a “Calamity” in the province,leading to a ban on all activities contributing to smog formation. DeputyCommissioners have been granted authority to take necessary actions tocontrol and mitigate smog, as stated in a letter issued on November 1.
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On the same day, the Punjab provincial government declared a smogemergency. However, the government emphasizes that closing schools andlimiting transportation alone will not be sufficient to combat thissituation.