Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has urged the provincial government to declare and enforce a “smog emergency” across the province, as air pollution continues to worsen.
In a statement on Thursday, Khan highlighted the growing health problems caused by smog, noting that educational and business activities have been suspended in many areas due to the hazardous air quality. He said, “The people are suffering from serious health issues due to the smog, and daily life is being severely disrupted.”
Khan emphasized the government’s responsibility to tackle the smog crisis and called on the Punjab government to take urgent action. “It is crucial that the government addresses the challenges posed by smog. I personally urge the Punjab government to take immediate and effective steps to combat this issue,” he added.
The Governor further stressed that the Punjab government must implement stringent measures to control the pollution and mitigate its impact.
Khan also praised Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi for his efforts in managing the smog situation in 2023, acknowledging that the success in controlling the pollution this year was largely due to Naqvi and the provincial interim government’s actions.