Amraiz Khan
The Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that sudden increase of smog in Lahore and its suburbs was because of burning the residue of crops in the border area of Indian side. Situation is much batter due to the last night rain, he added. Usman Buzdar said that he continued to monitor smog related situation till late in night and issued instructions to the concerned department and administration in this regard.
Administration and traffic police were made active for redressing the problems of citizens. He further maintained that instruction has been issued to the concerned department to remain alert for coping with smog related situation in the coming days. Usman Buzdar said that the Environment and other concerned departments including administration should ensure the implementation on the plan formulated to cope with smog in letter and spirit and negligence will not be tolerated in this regard.
Chief Minister while issuing instruction to speed up the ongoing campaign against industries, vehicles and brick-kilns involved in spreading pollution said that strict legal action should be taken against responsible. He further directed to run awareness campaign for informing the people about the preventive measures to protect themselves from smog.
The Environment Protection Department (EPD) Punjab has expedited smog-awareness campaign in the metropolitan city to sensitize people to be well-prepared to avoid health hazards and take safety precautions.
According to the spokesman, the campaign has been launched on the special directions of provincial minister for environment protection Muhammad Rizwan to raise awareness about best practices to keep oneself safe and healthy during smog season.
In this regard, the teams distributed face masks among motorcyclists, motorists and pedestrians on important roads of the city.
While talking to the media, EPD spokesman said that pollution of the night between November 6 and 7 was due to burning of crops’ residue at Indian side but now with the blessings of Allah Almighty and after the rain, the situation has been improved to a great extent.
The spokesman urged the people to use face masks or handkerchief on their faces while leaving their houses in order to protect themselves from the pollution.
