LAHORE: The Punjab government has mandated the wearing of masks in response to the rising air pollution in Lahore.
As per report, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz directed that work should be done on a war footing to control the smog situation. Instructions were issued to all departments to strictly implement environmental laws; Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb will implement the emergency plan.
In order to control smog in Lahore, 25,000 vehicles with bad engines and emitting black smoke were stopped. More than 469 factories and furnaces were demolished, and 318 FIRs were registered for burning munji and crop residues, while violators were arrested.
Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has said that citizens should take full part in the jihad against environmental pollution.
Every citizen has to play a role in preventing the smog coming from strong winds from India, as the intensity and speed of the winds affect the Air Quality Index of Lahore.
She stated that each department has already been given clear targets with a timeline, and there will be no tolerance in implementation. Vehicles emitting black smoke and chimneys will remain closed in Lahore, and arrests will be made if munji is burned during the intensity of smog.
An emergency traffic plan is being issued in Lahore for reduction, and public complaints will be processed round the clock.
Maryam Aurangzeb further said that citizens should play a role in protecting their lives by complaining about black smoke at 1373. The plan has been strictly implemented for six months.
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