Authorities in Punjab enforced a smart lockdown in 10 districts of the province as smog worsens.This time, the lockdown was again implemented after Lahore’s Air Quality Index went above 400 making it the most polluted city in the world.
The ten districts include Hafizabad, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Naowal, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib.
A notification was issued by Pakistan Disaster Management (PDM) which stated that due to smog mobility within these 10 districts will be minimal and schools and colleges will remain closed. Alongside schools and colleges, all universities are also said to be closed.
Read more: School holidays announced by Punjab Govt due to worsening smog
However, certain places such as marketplaces, cinemas, and gymnasiums will be allowed to start operations after 3:00 pm.
Citizens of Lahore, especially the traders stated that as it is a mandatory step by the government we will follow the timings. However, the government needs to take some other solid steps to fight the increasing smog.
The Trader Leader Naeem Mir stated that a task force should be assembled by the government to tackle the issue with some solid steps to flight the worsening situation.