LAHORE: The Tuesday morning sky remained hazy despite the caretaker government’s implementation of a smart lockdown, unable to fully disperse the smog in the provincial capital.
In response to the persistent smog causing respiratory issues, the caretaker Punjab government courageously opted for a smart lockdown, aiming to alleviate the ongoing problem.
The density of smog escalated on Tuesday compared to the previous day, despite a three-day smart lockdown that marginally reduced air pollution.
These measures notably shifted Lahore from its top position as the world’s most polluted city; it now holds the second spot with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 280, while Karachi ranks third at 261.
Artificial rain
The caretaker Punjab government has established a collaborative working group that includes representatives from federal and provincial departments, alongside military personnel, aimed at implementing the artificial rain project in Lahore.
This decision was made during a meeting led by Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman at the Civil Secretariat on Monday. The meeting focused on assessing projects for artificial rain and the installation of towers to combat smog in Lahore, with the attendance of administrative secretaries from departments such as environment protection, agriculture, and finance, along with relevant officers.
China’s help sought
Sources indicated that the caretaker government in Punjab has opted for consultation with China in efforts to tackle the smog issue. As part of their strategy, the Chinese government implemented a bi-weekly restriction on half of the vehicles’ movement on roads, along with the closure of coal-fired power plants. These decisive actions resulted in a significant 40 percent reduction in smog levels.
