Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has announced a series of immediate emergency measures in response to the worsening smog crisis in the province, including the declaration of a health emergency in Lahore and Multan.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Marriyum emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that air quality indices (AQI) in several cities, including Lahore, have reached hazardous levels, with Lahore’s AQI hitting an alarming 2800.

She said the countries that curbed smog received a lot of cooperation from their citizens, urging people to stay at home on Saturday and Sunday. She also highlighted the role of actors, artists, the media in helping deal with the health menace.

Marriyum said she put on a mask and went out in Lahore personally and found people having fun. "People do not understand that smog can cause death; they travel on cars and motorcycles without masks. The private sector should ensure mask ban," she stressed.

"To all the detractors, I will urge them to unite against smog. Considering all the circumstances, the decisions will be implemented from next week," the minister announced.

Key measures announced

The minister announced the following measures in view of the worsening smog in Lahore and other cities of Punjab:

- All brick kilns and furnace-based plants in Lahore and Multan have been shut down from Friday to curb emissions.

- There will be a complete ban on the entry of heavy traffic in both Lahore and Multan.

- A complete lockdown will be enforced on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if the situation does not improve by Wednesday.

- Dining in at restaurants will be allowed only until 4pm, after which take-away services will be permitted. All restaurants will have to completely close at 8pm.

- Holidays in schools, colleges, and universities across Punjab have been extended to Nov 24, except Murree, and they have been ordered to shift to online learning.

- Construction activities in Lahore and Multan have been banned from Friday. However, national-level construction works will be allowed.

- Doctors, nurses and paramedical staff holidays have been cancelled, and hospital OPDs will now operate until 8pm.

- E-bikes and EAQ oil projects are in the pipeline. In view of the environmental situation, e-buses are being introduced in Lahore.

All these decisions will be applicable from Nov 16 to 24.

Marriyum Aurangzeb further said that over 40,000 smog-affected individuals were being treated in hospitals, and urged citizens to limit outdoor activities and wear masks, particularly while riding motorcycles. She said she wanted to appear in the Lahore High Court that is hearing a smog-related case, and brief the judge on the government's measures.

"Currently, our health has turned into a smog health crisis," she stressed, adding that a public campaign, 'Detox Lahore', had been launched to raise awareness about smog and its life-threatening impact. "People are requested to go out on motorcycles only for essential work, and that too while wearing masks," she stressed.

Aurangzeb highlighted that the chief minister started working on smog in March and a strategy was devised by taking all smog-generating factors on board. The Punjab government implemented a 10-year climate change and smog policy, which includes transitioning brick kilns to zigzag technology after destroying 800 kilns to reduce emissions, promoting eco-friendly transportation through the introduction of e-bikes and electric buses in Lahore, providing subsidised super seeders to farmers at 60& of the price to reduce stubble burning.

She said the departments were following the smog policy and the chief minister was personally monitoring it. Vehicle fitness was not checked in Punjab and there was no law to check motorcycles. "We have received three gas analysers, which will be given to the traffic police for inspecting vehicles," Aurangzeb announced.

The minister stressed that smog is not limited to Pakistan but affects lives in both Indian and Pakistani Punjab, highlighting that the two countries cannot change the wind direction. "Smog knows no borders; it’s a matter of life and death for both countries," she stated, urging cooperation to combat the crisis.

Marriyum Aurangzeb appealed to citizens and the private sector to ensure compliance with the mask mandate and other measures. She warned of further restrictive actions if the smog situation does not improve by mid-week, with a possible lockdown extending to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Aurangzeb concluded by urging collective efforts, stating, "Countries that eliminated smog succeeded because of public cooperation. We need to do the same to protect our health and future."