In a proactive move to address the severe smog issue in Pakistan, the Punjab government has announced a four-day public holiday in select districts of the country’s most populous province, including the provincial capital, Lahore. The public holiday is set to span from November 9 to 12.
Punjab’s caretaker chief minister, Mohsin Naqvi, shared this decision during a press conference. He emphasized the imposition of an environmental and health emergency in these specific divisions to combat the adverse effects of smog.
As part of the measures to mitigate smog’s impact, educational institutions, public and private offices, restaurants, cinemas, parks, and gyms will remain closed from Thursday to Sunday. Additionally, markets and business centers will observe closures on Saturday and Sunday. However, marriage halls, pharmacies, and bakeries will continue their operations during these holidays. Naqvi underscored that these holidays are specific to this week.
The chief minister urged citizens to stay at home during the holiday period, emphasizing that this action is crucial in reducing environmental pollution and smog. Lahore, in particular, has been consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted cities.
Furthermore, Naqvi highlighted the burning of crop residues in Indian Punjab as a significant factor contributing to the spread of smog in Lahore and other parts of the province. He had previously communicated this concern to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who assured the Punjab government of addressing the smog issue with India.
This move by the Punjab government seeks to proactively combat the severe smog issue and its detrimental impact on the region’s residents and environment.
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Source: Hindustan Times
