Lahore is facing a serious pollution problem, ranking as the world’s most polluted city due to smog. To tackle this issue, the Punjab government is considering a plan to create artificial rain in the city on November 28. The decision was made during a special meeting led by the Punjab caretaker chief minister to address the worsening smog situation. In response to the smog emergency, the government has declared a health emergency and decided to close educational institutions, markets, and offices in eight districts of Punjab on Saturday.
Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the implementation of Section 144 in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad, leading to the closure of various public and private establishments, including schools, offices, cinemas, parks, and restaurants on Saturday. The government is also considering seeking help from Chinese environmental experts to deal with Lahore’s smog problem. Actions are being taken against sources of pollution, such as factories, burning of crop residue, and vehicles emitting smoke.
The Lahore High Court is involved in addressing the smog issue, with the provincial government presenting recommended measures, including closing gyms and restaurants earlier. However, some recommendations, like closing gyms due to the Covid-19 outbreak, were questioned by Justice Shahid Karim. He suggested focusing on holding officers accountable under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act. The court also encouraged promoting cycling in Lahore. The hearing is adjourned until November 22 for further review.The Punjab government plans to induce artificial rain in Lahore on Nov 28
