LAHORE: The Punjab government has made it mandatory for all motorcycle riders to wear face masks, introducing new preventive measures to safeguard public health as smog continues to worsen across major cities, including Lahore.
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that polluted winds from Indian cities such as New Delhi, Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, and Patiala are drifting into Lahore, severely affecting the region’s air quality. She added that southern cities including Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar are also experiencing deteriorating air conditions due to cross-border smog.
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The provincial government has issued new guidelines for construction activities, requiring that construction sites be properly covered to minimize dust and air pollution. Authorities have also advised the public to keep car and room windows closed during peak smog hours to reduce exposure.
Minister Aurangzeb noted that a slight improvement in air quality is expected between 1 pm and 5 pm, though light haze will persist despite clearer skies. She further said that water sprinkling and anti-smog guns are being actively deployed across Lahore and other affected districts to help mitigate pollution levels.