LAHORE: The Punjab government has drafted a policy and allocated a budget to combat the growing smog crisis, a government official told the court on Monday.
Advocate General of Punjab, Khalid Ishaq, told the Lahore High Court that as part of the anti-smog policy, a ban on weddings between October and December will be imposed across the province from next year to reduce air pollution during the peak smog season.
During a hearing of the case regarding increasing air pollution at the Lahore High Court, Ishaq explained that this initiative is part of the provincial government’s broader strategy to address the region’s worsening air quality.
He also informed the court that for the first time, the government had allocated a dedicated budget specifically for anti-smog measures.
The new policy aims to reduce pollution by imposing seasonal restrictions, including limiting weddings — events that traditionally involve high traffic and significant energy consumption — during the months with the poorest air quality.
The court acknowledged the government’s progress in tackling smog and stated that the current administration has taken more effective steps compared to previous administrations.
The court praised the policy as a positive move and recommended expanding it to other districts. It also commended the government’s initiative to distribute super seeders to farmers, calling it a step toward more sustainable agricultural practices.
The court highlighted global practices, pointing out that in many countries, shops close by 5pm, unlike in Pakistan where businesses often stay open late into the evening. The court suggested that similar regulations could be beneficial for Punjab.
Moreover, the judge recommended that the government consider limiting wedding events to a single function with one dish, rather than the current practice of hosting multiple celebrations.
The hearing was adjourned until November 15, with the court urging the government to consider a permanent anti-smog policy.
🔸The Punjab government has introduced Punjab’s first-ever comprehensive 10-year policy to tackle smog and enhance environmental protection.
🔸This policy includes short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans, with specific targets set for each sector. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif is…
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) November 12, 2024
Pakistan Bans Schools, Public Places
Earlier, on Wednesday, the Punjab government had closed all public and private schools in 18 districts of the province for ten days to protect students from exposure to toxic air.
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Lahore, home to more than 14 million people, has been engulfed in thick, smoky haze this week and was consistently ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world.
According to IQAir, Pakistan is battling severe air pollution, with an annual Air Quality Index (AQI) of 160, more than 14.7 times the World Health Organization’s air quality guideline value.
Pakistan has the second worst air quality in the world after Bangladesh.
According to a report by IQAir, Pakistan’s cleanest city in 2023 was Abbottabad with AQI 97. AQI below 50 is considered healthy.
