LAHORE: Amid rising smog levels, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has called on Lahore residents to “declare war on smog,” emphasizing the necessity of collective action to address the city’s worsening air quality. At a press conference on Friday, she outlined the government’s intensified Anti-Smog Action Plan, which includes a multi-sectoral strategy spearheaded by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Minister Aurangzeb revealed that the city’s smog, with only 33.3% green area coverage and a population of over 15 million, is aggravated by both local and cross-border factors. Notably, 30% of the smog is attributed to cross-border pollution from India, while 70% originates from within the city. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, she noted that Lahore experiences unhealthy air quality levels 275 days each year and has seen an average temperature rise of 2.3°C in recent years.
Under the Anti-Smog Action Plan, authorities have mobilized Anti-Smog Squads to monitor and take immediate action against smog-related sources, including smoke-emitting vehicles and unfit industrial units. During inspections of brick kilns, 212 kilns in Lahore and 152 factories have been either sealed or demolished for non-compliance. Aurangzeb highlighted her personal oversight in dismantling non-compliant kilns, including those operated by influential individuals. Additionally, the Environment Protection Department has intensified inspections, sealing 721 factories after 15,000 inspections and implementing emissions control systems across industrial units.
The government has further tackled emissions by restricting vehicle entry into Lahore, especially for vehicles lacking fitness certificates. To address agricultural practices contributing to air pollution, farmers are offered a 60% subsidy on super seeders to safely manage rice stubble without burning.
Additionally, Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has joined the efforts by sealing five factories, including JP Steel and Ali Hajveri Industries, for violating anti-smog protocols. With Lahore ranked third globally on the Air Quality Index, the health risks posed by smog are increasingly urgent, affecting respiratory health for vulnerable groups.
For public guidance, Aurangzeb advised residents to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) on the Green App before heading toward pollution hotspots. She also called upon the media to support a widespread anti-smog campaign, linking smog to serious health risks, including a potential reduction in life expectancy.
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