An intense wave of smog persists in Pakistan, suffocating several of its cities in the Punjab province. The condition spread its toxic reach, resulting in severe disruption of transportation in the affected areas.
In response to the situation, authorities clamped closures and restrictions, shutting down parts of the motorway network for safety and motorway officials have warned drivers to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly after dark.
In addition to transport disruptions, the Punjab government has launched an anti-smog operation, which includes water sprinkling on roads and the removal of waste. Factories emitting pollutants are being sealed, and illegal brick kilns are being demolished.
“Skipping school does not mean a holiday; follow safety measures to protect yourself and others,” urged Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, emphasising the importance of public cooperation.
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All available resources are being utilized under the CM’s Smog Control Programme to fight air pollution. These remarks were made by Senior Provincial Minister Mariyam Aurangzeb during the launch of the Kisan Card and Anti-Smog Squad at Agriculture House. She emphasized that all relevant departments have been assigned special responsibilities for smog control.
In phase one, 5,000 super seeders are being provided to farmers at Rs 5 billion, with a 60% subsidy. These machines will help utilize paddy residue, and a zero-tolerance policy is in place against burning it. The minister shared that the Anti-Smog Squad, under the agriculture department, targets paddy-growing areas at the tehsil level and provides technical assistance to farmers. A special helpline (1373) has also been established for reporting smog-related incidents.
On the same occasion, Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani described the activation of the Kisan Card as a game-changer for small farmers. The card will provide Rs 150 billion in interest-free agricultural loans annually, with 80% of applicants receiving loans for the first time. He noted that while previous governments politicized agriculture, the current government has increased the agriculture budget by 250% for 2024-25.
The agriculture department has implemented a smog policy under the CM’s program, distributing super seeders and empowering the Anti-Smog Squad to raise awareness about the dangers of burning crop residue and take legal action against offenders. Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo mentioned that 6.6 million acres of paddy have been cultivated in Punjab this year, with specific tasks assigned to aid in smog control. He also revealed that 22 anti-smog squads are being established, equipped with specialized vehicles for better outreach, while the Kisan Card will allow farmers to bypass middlemen for wheat inputs.