Daily Times

The Punjab government has initiated implementation of a comprehensive strategy to combat environmental pollution and smog.

Special focus is being placed on public and private housing societies, alongside plans to establish agricultural forests on millions of acres of barren land. These measures, directed by the Chief Minister of Punjab, are part of a short, medium, and long-term vision. Efforts are underway to plant trees along housing societies and highways, while expanding the protective greenbelt around Lahore.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb urged the public and institutions to participate in this tree-planting mission, emphasizing that environmental protection is a shared responsibility. She announced that substandard vehicles will be banned from roads and must be certified to operate.

The Environment Protection Department has been conducting inspections of industrial units and brick kilns, sealing 14 units and filing 8 cases for legal violations. Additionally, fines amounting to Rs. 4.6 million have been imposed. Monitoring of commercial generators and barbecue outlets in green lockdown zones is ongoing, while squads are actively working to curb pollution caused by sand and soil overloading. Strict surveillance of sand-laden trucks is in place at Lahore’s entry points.

Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that no leniency will be shown towards violations of environmental laws, and offenders will face strict penalties. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making Lahore one of the world’s cleanest and most environmentally sustainable cities. These initiatives aim to control pollution, safeguard public health, and provide a cleaner environment for citizens.

Separately, the ongoing smog crisis in Punjab has reached alarming levels, significantly impacting public health across the province.

According to the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, 61,024 cases of respiratory diseases were reported in a single day on Saturday. Hospitals recorded 4,211 asthma cases, 2,105 ischemic heart disease cases, 181 strokes, and 385 conjunctivitis cases within the last 24 hours alone, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Over the past 30 days, approximately 1.92 million individuals sought medical attention for respiratory and smog-related illnesses across Punjab. Hospitals treated 125,520 asthma patients, 60,966 ischemic heart disease cases, 5,701 stroke patients, and 14,007 conjunctivitis cases during this period. In just the past week, 455,283 respiratory disease cases were reported, alongside 31,034 asthma cases, 13,479 ischemic heart disease cases, 1,360 strokes, and 4,121 conjunctivitis cases, showcasing the escalating burden on the healthcare system.

Lahore remains the worst-affected city, bearing the brunt of the crisis with staggering health statistics. Over the last month, the city reported 132,569 respiratory disease cases, 6,613 asthma cases, 13,585 ischemic heart disease cases, 706 strokes, and 3,269 conjunctivitis cases. The last week alone saw 34,830 respiratory disease cases, 2,262 asthma cases, 2,804 ischemic heart disease cases, 302 strokes, and 1,528 conjunctivitis cases. On Saturday, Lahore recorded 3,690 respiratory disease cases, 209 asthma cases, 552 ischemic heart disease cases, 56 strokes, and 63 conjunctivitis cases, further underlining the acute health crisis in the provincial capital.

In response to the crisis, the Punjab government has assured citizens that hospitals are fully equipped to handle the influx of smog-related cases. Authorities are actively urging residents to adopt preventive measures, such as wearing masks, reducing outdoor exposure, and using air purifiers where possible, to minimize health risks.

With smog levels expected to persist, the healthcare system faces mounting pressure, and public cooperation remains critical to mitigating the impact of this environmental emergency. Meanwhile, the government continues to implement pollution control measures and raise awareness about the health risks associated with prolonged smog exposure.