In response to the escalating smog crisis engulfing Lahore, the Punjab government is considering imposing coronavirus-like restrictions to curb the deteriorating air quality in the provincial capital.
The final decision to this effect would be taken in the upcoming cabinet meeting, said an official news statement.
The proposal on the table involves implementing a ‘work from home’ arrangement for one day in educational institutions, government offices, and markets.
These measures, aimed at reducing vehicular movement and curbing emissions, will be thoroughly scrutinized during the cabinet meeting.
Additionally, various strategies and recommendations to combat smog will be assessed during the session.
The recent bout of rainfall has temporarily improved Lahore’s air quality index, currently standing at 55.
To sustain this positive trend, the government plans to formulate a strategic action plan.
The Lahore Commissioner’s Office, in a separate statement, announced that if the decision is greenlit, a weekly holiday in the city would be observed on Wednesdays, starting next week.
All educational institutions, markets, and offices would operate normally tomorrow, as per the spokesperson of the Lahore commissioner.
However, independent urban and environmental experts have raised concerns, warning of a potential increase in smog within the next month or two due to various contributing factors.
This comes after Lahore’s alarming rise in the global air quality index, jumping more than ten places in 2022 to become the world’s most polluted city.
According to a report published by IQAir in March 2023, the air quality deteriorated from 86.5 micrograms of PM2.5 particles per cubic meter in 2021 to a staggering 97.4, making Lahore’s the most polluted city worldwide.
