LAHORE: As Punjab continues to grapple with dense smog, the provincial authorities has banned all out of doors actions in Multan, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad, probably the most affected districts after Lahore, until November 17.
“The typical AQI of those districts has crossed the vital restrict of 500 which is alarmingly hazardous for human well being and wellbeing,” an official notification issued by the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) underneath Punjab authorities acknowledged.
The notification mentioned that regardless of relentless efforts by the federal government to mitigate the rising air air pollution ranges, the smog-hit areas have witnessed an unprecedented rise within the variety of sufferers with lungs and respiratory ailments, allergic reactions, eye and throat irritation, pink eye illness.
It acknowledged that the restrictions are being imposed underneath the Part 6(1) (t) of the Punjab Environmental Safety Act 1997, which mandates all vital measures for the safety, conservation, rehabilitation and enchancment of the atmosphere, prevention and management of air pollution and promotion of sustainable improvement.
Apart from the suspension of all out of doors actions together with sports activities occasions, exhibitions and festivals, eating in eating places, the outlets, markets and procuring malls have been directed to shut by 8pm.
Nonetheless, non secular congregations, unavoidable non secular rites together with the final rites, funeral prayer, burial and associated occasions have been exempted from the ban.
In the meantime, important companies corresponding to pharmacies, medical shops, medical amenities, laboratories, vaccination facilities, petrol pumps, oil depots, tandoors, bakeries, grocery shops, milk outlets, confectioneries, vegetable/fruit/meat outlets have been allowed to stay open after the 8pm deadline.
Furthermore, the grocery and pharmacy sections on the giant departmental shops have additionally been exempted from the restrictions.
“Every other exemption, if deemed vital, could also be given by the deputy Commissioner of the involved district,” the notification learn.
The ban on out of doors actions comes into power immediately (November 11) until November 17 and any contravention to the directives can be punished underneath Part 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Residents in Lahore have been battling smog for weeks as the extent of pollution within the air rises with the drop in temperatures, and the poisonous air has floated to different districts of the province.
Lahore as soon as once more ranked first in probably the most polluted huge cities on the earth on Monday, whereas Multan had the worst air high quality within the nation, hovering above the “hazardous” class, posing well being dangers to the residents on extended publicity.
Apart from Lahore and Multan, a thick layer of smog shrouded Bahawalpur, Rajanpur and several other different cities of Punjab.
Retaining in view the scenario, the authorities had restricted all out of doors actions in Lahore, together with colleges closures and ban on entry in parks and different open air public locations final week.