The Punjab government has introduced a new smog mitigation policy to the Lahore High Court, which includes wedding banned during peak smog season as part of a broader strategy to combat pollution.
Advocate General Punjab announced that starting next year, weddings will be prohibited from October to December. For the first time, a dedicated budget has been allocated for anti-smog initiatives, aiming to tackle pollution by curbing traffic and energy consumption during high-smog months.
Read more: Punjab Extends ‘Green Lockdown’ as Smog Worsens
The court lauded these efforts, noting that the current administration has implemented more effective measures than previous ones. It suggested expanding the policy to other districts and praised initiatives like distributing super seeders to farmers to promote sustainable practices.
The court also highlighted global emission control practices, such as early shop closures, contrasting them with Pakistan’s extended business hours. It proposed introducing a one-dish rule for weddings and limiting celebrations to a single event.
The hearing was adjourned until November 15, with a recommendation for a permanent smog policy. Meanwhile, Punjab continues to face severe smog, with Lahore currently ranked as the most polluted city in the world. The city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stands at a hazardous level of 588, nearly 74 times above WHO’s safe limit.
Recent AQI readings ranged from 565 to as high as 1,045, though they have dropped from the alarming peak of 1,900 earlier this month. PM2.5, the primary pollutant, poses significant health risks as its microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, potentially causing fatal diseases.
In light of these conditions, Lahore residents are advised to minimize outdoor activities, use air purifiers, and wear masks. The Punjab Environmental Department plans to adjust lockdown measures as necessary to mitigate the impact of smog.
