Lahore AQI crosses 1,000 again, govt mulls lockdown

LAHORE: As the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the provincial metropolis exceeded 1,000, the Punjab government started thinking to impose a lockdown but the final decision will be taken after two days.

Punjab senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, while talking to media, said the smog level in Lahore increased after a sudden wind from India entered Pakistan. She said for the first time in eight months, any government has started work on smog and several preemptive actions were taken, including sealing of hundreds of kilns, installation of environmental control systems at industries and etc.

The chief minister gave 1,000 super seeders to farmers, she said, adding the case was unexpected when India’s winds came, the air quality index increased and when the wind stopped, the air quality index reached 200.

The senior minister warned the citizens to be careful and not let children and elderly people leave the house. She said on Sunday morning the wind direction was again very strong and when the winds blew from India’s borders, the centre of Lahore was also affected. She also requested the farmers to understand their responsibility.

She said presently we were inhaling methane and out of 365 days 274 were not good regarding AQI. When the CM talked about diplomacy, mischievous minds started plotting, she said and added that we cannot change the direction of the wind, this matter can only be resolved through dialogue.

Today, Islamabad was also engulfed in smog, she said and stated that conditions will improve again in the afternoon. Currently, the air quality index has reached 500 and during the next whole week the wind will be blowing towards Lahore.

Answering a question, she said smog is a more dangerous situation than Corona. Kisan Card has been given along with Super Seeder, the government will pay 60% of Super Seeder price, she said and maintained that 5,000 super seeders remained the target, it also increases the crop capacity.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said if the kilns and transport sector do not take precautions against smog, then it can lead to an extraordinary situation. Senior minister announced that we will write a letter to our federal foreign ministry today (Monday) to pave the way for talks with India regarding smog.

Replying to a question, she said the Punjab government was not considering ban on construction in housing societies but will run through SOPs for construction in housing societies. Answering a question about artificial rain, she said artificial rain was first taken from UAE but now different departments have got their artificial rain technology. She said as soon as there was a suitable opportunity, artificial rain will be done.

The senior minister said the green master plan of the government was made as per which green area should be 36 percent, which at present was three percent. Green area of Lahore Development Authority should have been 25% which has come to 7%, the minister said, adding housing societies cannot be banned, they have to run by a system.

Commissioner and DC Lahore were working to control the encroachments and strict action will be taken if there was any violation regarding the smog SOPs. She said the government has identified 11 hotspots in Lahore. She said stopping transport will not improve matters. Giving example of Beijing, she said they have been working to control smog for the last 26 years.

‘We are watching very closely, there are 11 hotspots in Lahore, if we do not take precautions, then we will be forced to take extraordinary measures,’ she said, adding that everyone would have to work to eliminate smog, not in a day but in years.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said EPS vehicles were emitting smoke, they were being shifted to electric, recruitment was being done and checking for the quality of petrol has started, there were also fines and arrests.

Senior Minister said fitness certificates will be required and if these vehicles will have three challans, after which the vehicle will not be able to come on the road. She said Maryam Nawaz has started a series of e-bikes for the students of Punjab and no one should politicise the purchase of electric vehicles, the media should also be careful.

She maintained that it was not important to introduce e-bus car or motorcycle, but it was inevitable to establish an electric station, which is being paid attention to. Meanwhile, Met office said continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country. They predicted that dry weather expected in most parts of the country while cold in hilly areas during morning /night hours. smog was likely to persist in most parts.

Sunday’s minimum temperature was recorded at Skardu where mercury dropped to 00°C, while in Lahore, it was 18.5°C and maximum was 31.3°C. DG Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab in exercise of the powers conferred upon u/s 6(1) (t) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, ordered a complete ban on the entry of Heavy Transport Vehicles (HTVs) in District Lahore on Friday and Sunday nights. The HTVs may enter District Lahore as per their already specified timings in other nights of the week. The following HTVs shall be exempted from the ban: The Heavy Transport Vehicles (HTVs) carrying fuel, medicines, hospital & food supply items, having valid VICS certification. The passenger buses, having valid VICS certification. Emergency vehicles such as Ambulances, fire brigades, vehicles of Rescue 1122, Police and Prisons vehicles. government vehicles with valid VICS certification. Any contravention to this order shall be punished u/s 188 PPC and any other relevant legal framework. This order shall come into force from 8th November, 2024 and shall remain in force till 31st January, 2024.