RAWALPINDI: As the intensity of smog increased, Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak on Tuesday announced that all higher secondary schools would remain closed from Nov 13 to 17 and asked their managements to conduct online classes during this period.

Presiding over a meeting held to review anti-smog operations, the commissioner said smog had now entered Rawalpindi after Lahore and other divisions.

Due to the winds coming from India, the intensity of smog has increased in different cities of Punjab, he added.

“The Punjab government is spending a huge sum of Rs10 billion to provide modern facilities including artificial rains. Apart from this, the anti-smog committee formed by the divisional administration under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner is cracking down on smog-emitting vehicles, burning of garbage and crop residue and brick kilns operating without zig-zag technology,” he said.

Apart from this, the health department has also issued a health advisory for the public, in which people are requested not to step out of their homes unnecessarily.

If it is necessary to go out, be sure to use a mask because smog affects children, adults and the elderly severely causing eye problems, respiratory and lung diseases.

Managements asked to take classes online

He directed the health department to establish smog awareness counters in hospitals and ensure availability of all required medicines.

On this occasion, the anti-smog committee, which includes the RTA secretary, deputy director environment and traffic police representatives gave a detailed briefing on the measures taken by them to prevent smog.

It was stated in the briefing that the environment department had demolished 24 smog-causing brick kilns and a fine of Rs8.1 million had been imposed on them since July.

Likewise, two industrial units were sealed for violation and a fine of Rs900,000 was imposed on pollution causing units.

Similarly, the RTA secretary and traffic police, while taking action against smoke-emitting vehicles, issued 2,711 tickets, impounded 441 vehicles and imposed a fine of Rs5.5 million.

Earlier, according to a notification, the Punjab government said it was striving hard to control all possible intrinsic sources of air pollution and deteriorating air quality.

It stated that the preemptive measures against all the sources of air pollution have already been started by Environment Protection Agency Punjab as well as other departments concerned.

Director General, Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab in exercise of the powers under the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, ordered closure of educational institutions, including tuition centres (public/private) up to higher secondary level (12th Grade/ A-level).

It also ordered the school managements to shift to online mode with effect from Nov 13 (Wednesday) to Nov 17 (Sunday). The order will be effective within the territorial jurisdictions of D.G. Khan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Sargodha and Rawalpindi Divisions.

It stated the average Air Quality Index of these districts had crossed the critical limit of 500 which is alarmingly hazardous for human health and well being.

Reports are being received that an unprecedented rise in the number of patients with lungs and respiratory diseases, allergies, eye and throat irritation, pink eye disease is being observed in different parts of the province.

The spread of conjunctivitis/ pink eye disease due to bacterial or viral infection, smoke, dust or chemical exposure is posing a serious and imminent threat to public health. Hence, it is mandatory to take all necessary measures for prevention and control of these diseases in the province.

Private schools oppose govt decision

All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association on Tuesday expressed resentment over the closure of schools across Punjab due to smog and said that it was difficult for many schools, even public-sector schools, to manage online classes.

All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association President Dr Malik Abrar Hussain, in a statement, said it was difficult for schools to complete the course as they had already run short of time due to closure of schools on different pretexts.

“How smog can affect the children when they are in classrooms. We have to satisfy parents who question closure of schools,” he said, adding that holidays will affect the schedule of mid-term exams and the academic session will be less than 200 days.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024