The Punjab government has decided, in principle, to set up the Punjab Clean Air Commission to control pollution and smog.
Committees have been established at district levels for monitoring measures to control environmental pollution.
Recommendations and proposals given by various government departments to prevent smog and pollution were discussed in a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, here today.
The meeting was told that brick kilns would remain closed as per court orders from October 20 to December 31. The ban on the burning of residue of crops would be imposed across Punjab from October 1.
It was decided to evolve effective and people-friendly strategy for the closure of two stroke engines, Quingqi rickshaws and smoke emitting vehicles.
A campaign on social media would be launched to create awareness about the damage caused to environment by the burning of solid waste. A comprehensive mass media campaign would be designed to create awareness about the prevention of smog.
Chief Minister, Usman Buzdar directed that air monitoring equipment be repaired immediately and said that air quality system in Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Rahimyar Khan and Faisalabad be made functional immediately.
He said smog badly disrupted daily life, therefore, a sustainable policy to prevent it should be made. SUPARCO needed to devise a system for in-time information about smog and other environmental issues.
The South Asia Coordination body be contacted to prevent pollution entering Pakistan from the neighbouring country. Among others who attended the meeting include Federal Environment, Minister Amin Aslam; senior provincial minister, Abdul Aleem Khan; provincial ministers, Mian Aslam Iqbal; Sabtain Khan Niazi, Malik Nouman while the IGP and secretaries of concerning departments were also present. They presented their recommendations. The secretary environment gave a detailed briefing to the meeting participants.