The Punjab government is considering stringent restrictions in Lahore, akin to COVID-19 measures, to combat the escalating smog crisis. As per insider information, a potential shutdown on Wednesdays is on the cards, encompassing schools, markets, and factories. Additionally, government departments may function at half capacity on Wednesdays, with snap-checking anticipated over weekends. The lion’s share of the smog stems from excessive traffic, with factories contributing a mere 7% to the pollution.
Authorities may levy substantial fines or shut down factories that repeatedly defy regulations. The highest smog levels are typically observed from Monday to Wednesday.
Discussion with Traders & Impact on Health
In discussion with traders, Lahore’s Commissioner, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, proposed a two-month work-from-home policy and entertained the idea of market closures on Wednesdays. He affirmed traders’ flexibility to operate on Sundays and emphasized final decisions would involve their consultation.
Meanwhile, a study by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute highlighted that severe air pollution might reduce life expectancy in Pakistan’s most polluted areas, like Lahore, by up to seven years. Furthermore, all Pakistanis reside in zones exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended particulate pollution levels, indicating an alarming health crisis. The report also attributed a 49.9% increase in annual particulate pollution from 1998 to 2021 to India.
