Punjab declares smog emergency for a month, mandatory mask rule for students

In a critical move to address the worsening smog crisis, a smog emergency has been officially declared across the province of Punjab on Wednesday.
According to the 24News HD TV channel, this sweeping measure was announced by Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi following a comprehensive meeting that brought together provincial ministers, top officials, environmental experts, and health specialists.
At the meeting, environmental and health experts provided insights on combating the smog and outlined preventative measures to mitigate its adverse effects. Notably, experts expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of school closures and transport shutdowns as viable solutions to the issue.
One of the immediate actions taken is the imposition of a mandatory mask rule for all students, encompassing both government and private schools, to safeguard their health. Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged the general public to also make use of masks to protect themselves.
CM Naqvi advised the provincial ministers to undertake visits to both government and private schools starting tomorrow to ensure compliance with the mask mandate.
The CM said measures are being put in place to penalize those who fail to adhere to smog-reduction protocols, including proper disposal of construction materials and crop residue.
To further address the crisis, the chief minister ordered the withdrawal of challans (fines) against farmers during the smog season, emphasizing the need for responsible disposal of crop residue. Furthermore, efforts to curb smog-emitting vehicles and factories will continue without exception.
Provincial Ministers SM Tanveer, Dr Javed Akram, Aamir Mir, Mansoor Qadir, Ibrahim Murad, Inspector General Police Dr Usman, Additional Chief Secretary Interior, and secretaries from various departments and other officials attended the meeting.