PUNJAB’S ANTI-SMOG STRATEGY: CHIEF MINISTER MOHSIN NAQVI DECLARES SCHOOL CLOSURES ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Lahore,   The Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi chaired a special meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Anti-Smog at the Chief Minister’s Office today. Important decisions were made based on the recommendations of environmental and health experts. Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman attended the meeting through video link.

Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the media about the meeting’s decisions, stating that educational institutions in 6 divisions, including Lahore, will remain closed on Friday and Saturday. Markets, restaurants, and businesses will open at 3 pm on those days, with all establishments closed on Sundays in six Divisions. If suitable clouds for rain are present on November 29, artificial rain will be induced in Lahore.

In Lahore, 10 thousand students will receive electric bikes with subsidies, and government employees will be provided electric bikes on lease. The Chief Minister announced the closure of vehicle entry on Main Mall Road on Sundays, allowing only bicycles. These measures are applicable to Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Multan, and Sahiwal divisions due to increased smog effects.

Mohsin Naqvi stated that an MoU for installing air filter towers in Lahore has been signed, and a special committee will propose recommendations for providing subsidized electric bikes to students. Steps are also being taken to offer electric bikes on lease to government employees. If conditions permit, artificial rain will be attempted on November 29, contingent on suitable cloud cover.

The Chief Minister clarified that while he is not in favor of market closures, necessary steps have been taken considering the smog situation. Government offices will be open on Fridays and after 3 pm on Saturdays. He highlighted the higher air quality index in the morning in Lahore and emphasized doubling water sprinkling on roads by WASA, PHA, and LWMC to combat smog. People should wear masks to minimize the effects of smog on their health. The reason for the high air quality index is India’s crop residue burning. Joint efforts are being made to reduce smog.

Provincial Ministers, including SM Tanveer, Dr. Javed Akram, Mansoor Qadir, Amir Mir, Azfar Ali Nasir, Ibrahim Hasan Murad, Bilal Afzal, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretaries of concerned departments, and senior officials attended the meeting. The environment secretary and experts provided a briefing on the smog situation, offering recommendations to protect the public from its effects.