Multan district administration takes action against smog

MULTAN: In response to the worsening smog conditions affecting the region, the Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Multan decided to crackdown on violators across the city.

The latest measure is part of a broader strategy to combat air pollution in the city of 2.2 million people and ensure public health safety during peak smog season.

Read more: Severe Punjab Smog: AQI reaches hazardous level in Multan

The administration focused its efforts on bazaars and commercial areas, where compliance with operations timings has been a huge concern.

As part of the crackdown, more than ten commercial plazas in a single area were penalised for violating designated operating hours.

The measures are intended to reduce vehicular traffic and subsequent emissions during high pollution periods.

The local authorities also targeted food service industry. It sealed more than 15 restaurants for non-compliance with health and safety regulations.

The smog in Multan crossed over 1,900 on the air quality index (AQI), becoming two of the most polluted cities in entire country besides Lahore.

The smog is part of a larger environmental problem affecting many urban areas in Pakistan, primarily during the winter months

Environmentalists have been warning of the environmental disaster for years now. Unplanned urbanisation, unchecked industrial emissions, vehicular pollution and agricultural burnings in surrounding areas all have contributed to the problem.

Read more: Multan authorities crack down on brick kilns amid rising air pollution

All these combined led to the hazardous levels of air pollution, which then forced the local authorities to  act.