Three killed on motorway; heavy vehicles banned from entering Lahore

SARGODHA: At least three people were killed and seven others injured on the M-2 Motorway near Sargodha after a high-ace van overturned after a tyre burst.

According to the motorway police, the accident occured near the Bhera Interchange.

Motorway police said that women and children were among the injured who were shifted tehsil headquarters hospital Bhera and Bhalwal hospital for treatment.

According to a motorway police spokesperson, the van was en route from the Raiwind Tableeghi Centre to Dir Bala and was carrying a total of 15 passengers.

Heavwy Vehicles Banned From Entering Lahore

As the smog situation in Lahore has deteriorated due to the burning of crop residues and emissions in India, the Punjab government has banned heavy vehicles from Lahore on Friday and Sunday nights.

The Environmental Protection Department has issued a notification banning heavy vehicles from entering Lahore on Friday and Sunday nights.

The restriction will take effect from November 8 and remain in place until January 31, 2025.

Ambulances, food supply vehicles, oil transporters, rescue vehicles, police and prisoner transport vans, and government vehicles will be exempted from this ban.

However, all vehicles have been asked to get a valid fitness certificate.

Earlier, the Punjab government announced the closure of private and government primary schools in Lahore for a week due to the worsening smog situation.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb said, “We are giving a one-week holiday to government and private schools up to grade five. I urge parents to make sure children wear masks if they go outside. Elderly people and children should wear masks, and everyone should avoid going out unnecessarily.”