By The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has sharply criticized the Punjab government’s handling of the ongoing smog crisis that is severely affecting air quality in Lahore, Multan, and other regions of Punjab. The dense smog has disrupted daily life, including air travel, and reached hazardous levels, prompting public health concerns.
PPP Punjab Chapter General Secretary, Syed Hassan Murtaza, expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s temporary solutions to control the smog. He accused the authorities of mishandling both environmental pollution and political challenges, calling their approach inadequate.
Temporary Measures and Lack of Long-Term Solutions
Murtaza criticized the government’s reliance on short-term measures, such as closing schools and highways, which he believes will not effectively address the underlying smog issue. He stressed the importance of long-term strategies and pointed out the Punjab government’s failure to tackle the problem comprehensively.
He also referred to the case of a young girl who had filed a petition in the Lahore High Court due to health issues related to smog. Murtaza questioned the government’s commitment to public health, particularly in light of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s ongoing trip to Geneva. He sarcastically asked whether the chief minister trusted foreign healthcare systems more than the local one.
Diplomatic Efforts and Smog Control
Murtaza expressed concern over the delay in diplomatic efforts to address crop residue burning in neighboring Indian states, which is contributing to the rising smog levels. He called on the government to expedite actions, including the promised diplomatic letter to the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab to seek collaborative efforts to tackle the issue.
Artificial Rain and Impractical Solutions
The PPP leader also criticized the Punjab government’s plans for artificial rain, calling them impractical. He urged the authorities to prioritize substantial measures that can improve air quality and safeguard public health in the long run.
Flight Disruptions Due to Low Visibility
The smog has also caused significant disruptions to air travel. At Allama Iqbal International Airport, several flights faced delays and diversions due to low visibility. PIA flight PK280 from Doha was rerouted to Islamabad, while flight PK203 to Dubai was delayed by two hours. The airport’s landing systems, which can only accommodate larger aircraft like the Boeing 777, further complicated operations.
Government Measures to Combat Smog
In response to the worsening air quality, the Punjab government has imposed a “green lockdown” across major cities, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan. Public places, including parks, museums, and zoos, have been closed to reduce mobility and limit vehicular emissions. Additionally, all public and private educational institutions up to 12th grade have been closed until November 17 to protect students from smog-related health risks.
As part of further efforts, the government has ramped up fines for smoke-emitting vehicles and has enforced early closures of markets to reduce pollution.
PPP’s Warning to the Government
Murtaza concluded with a strong warning to the government, urging them to act decisively. He emphasized that if the government failed to address the smog crisis effectively, the public’s frustration could lead to serious consequences. “Let the people breathe, or the masses will shorten the breath of the government,” he said.
