In a bid to curb hazardous smog in Punjab, the Advocate General of Punjab (AGP) proposed unconventional measures, including adjusting marriage dates.
The AGP proposed to the Lahore High Court that, starting next year, marriages be held in October to avoid the peak smog months of November to January.
The AGP informed the court that the government of Punjab had launched a comprehensive, long-term strategy to tackle the persistent smog.
As part of this effort, the entry of heavy vehicles has been banned, and half of the public workforce has shifted to remote work in the provincial capital.
In addition, a task force has been deployed across districts to enforce anti-smog measures, including confiscating 100 smoke-emitting buses since November 9.
Despite these initiatives, Lahore continues to suffer from toxic air, recently recording the highest pollution levels worldwide, as reported by IQAir.
Satellite imagery from NASA shows Punjab’s skies heavily blanketed by smog, with Lahore and Multan severely impacted.
UNICEF has raised concerns, warning of significant health risks to residents, especially the 11 million children under five exposed to the toxic air.
Smog levels in Punjab worsen each winter due to agricultural burning, coal plants, and stagnant air conditions. Despite efforts, the season’s pollution remains unprecedented, posing a critical environmental and health crisis.
