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Lockdown in several cities to enable people to breathe easy amid smog

Lahore regains world’s most polluted city title

Published

6 months ago

November 8, 2023

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Lockdown in several cities to enable people to breathe easy amid smog

Severe smog has once again made provincial capital of Punjab the most polluted city in the world.

The air quality index (AQI) in Lahore on Wednesday was recorded at 432. PM2.5 concentration in Lahore was currently 79.6 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.

The Punjab govt has imposed environment and health emergency in Lahore division and different other districts of Punjab. Section 144 will remain imposed in Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Norowal, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahab and Sialkot.

From November 9-12, all educational institutions, public and private offices, cinemas, parks and restaurants will remain closed. However, markets will remains closed on Saturday. Bakeries and medical stores will remain open during this period. Buses and vans will keep on running on roads.

PUNJAB GOVT ANNOUNCES FOUR-DAY HOLIDAY TO CURB SMOG

Earlier on Tuesday, Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi had announced a four-day holiday in specific divisions in response to a severe smog crisis.

Addressing a press briefing, CM Naqvi stated that these holidays would be effective from Thursday (celebrated as Iqbal Day, a national holiday) through to Sunday. The intention behind this move is to mitigate the impact of the smog problem, he added.

The provincial chief executive conveyed that a national holiday is scheduled for November 9, and on November 10, schools and offices in Punjab will remain closed. The holiday will be observed in the Lahore Division — Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib districts. It will also be applicable in Gujranwala and Hafizabad.

Naqvi pointed out that schools are already shut on Saturdays and Sundays, but if any school remains open this Saturday, they will be required to close as well. In addition, the markets will be closed on Saturdays, and traders have the option to consider closing shop on Friday if they find it feasible.

Emphasising the importance of these measures, Naqvi appealed to the public, urging them to stay indoors for four days. He emphasized that this decision was made after thorough consideration.

Earlier, the chief minister highlighted that Lahore had earned the unfortunate distinction of being the “worst smog-affected city” globally. He expressed concerns about reports of children experiencing respiratory difficulties and eye infections.

While acknowledging that there are internal factors contributing to this problem, the chief minister attributed the deteriorating air quality in Punjab to neighbouring India.

It’s worth noting that earlier in the preceding month, provincial authorities had considered the implementation of an additional weekly day off. However, as the smog situation began to improve, they decided against it and opted to maintain a vigilant watch on the evolving conditions.

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Ali Pervaiz sworn in as minister of state

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Ali Pervaiz sworn in as minister of state

Member of the National Assembly Ali Pervaiz took the oath of the office of Minister of State here on Friday.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath to Ali Pervaiz in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, parliamentarians, and notables from different walks of life.

Ali Pervaiz was elected as MNA from NA-119 constituency of Lahore on the ticket of the Pakistan Muslim League-N in the recently held by-election.

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Court summons Ali Amin Ganadapur in ‘illegal weapons, alcohol case’ on May 20

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Court summons Ali Amin Ganadapur in 'illegal weapons, alcohol case' on May 20

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to appear in person before the court on May 20 regarding a case involving allegations of possessing weapons and alcohol.

During a hearing presided over by Judicial Magistrate Sohaib Bilal of Islamabad district and session court, the court handed a questionnaire consisting of nine questions to Ali Gandapur’s counsel, Zahoorul Hassan.

The questionnaire seeks responses from the accused regarding various aspects of the case.

Among the questions posed to Gandapur are inquiries about his awareness of the evidence and arguments presented by the prosecution during the hearing, as well as his involvement in a gathering that allegedly violated orders issued by the district magistrate on October 30, 2016.

The court seeks clarification on an incident where Gandapur reportedly fled into a forest from his car, which was subsequently apprehended by the police.

The questionnaire addresses the recovery of illegal arms, a liquor bottle, and a person identified as Allah Nawaz wearing a bulletproof jacket with an unlicensed gun in Gandapur’s car.

The court references a report from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency confirming the presence of alcohol in the bottle recovered from Gandapur’s vehicle.

The court also inquired about the filing of charges against Gandapur and the testimony provided by prosecution witnesses. the accused is given the option to present a defense under Section 340.

The case hearing has been adjourned until May 20 to allow Gandapur to respond to the questionnaire and ordered him to appear before the court in person on that date.

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pakistan

Summer vacation for schools in Punjab to start from June 1

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2 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Summer vacation for schools in Punjab to start from June 1

The provincial education department on Friday announced the schedule for summer vacation across the province as above-normal temperatures hit the parts of country.

The department has issued a notification, stating that the summer holidays will be observed from June 1 to August 14. It added that all public and private schools will reopen on August 15 (Thursday).

The department has also revised the school timings to protect students and teachers from the blistering heat. As per the revised schedule, schools will open at 7:00am to 11:30am till Thursday while the classes will conclude at 10:30am on Fridays.

Meanwhile, Met office said due to the presence of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, heatwave conditions are likely to develop over most parts of the country, especially over Punjab and Sindh from 21st May and likely to convert to severe heatwave conditions from 23rd to 27th May.

Day temperatures are likely to remain 4 to 6°C above normal in Sindh and Punjab from 21st to 23rd and from 06 to 08°C from 23rd to 27th May.

Day temperatures are likely to remain 4 to 6°C above normal in Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan from 21st to 27th May.

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