LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed health emergency in Lahore and Multan due to the worsening smog situation.

Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said in a press conference that due to the worsening smog situation, Punjab government has declared health emergency in Lahore and Multan. She said there will be a complete lockdown in Lahore and Multan on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. She further said government has also imposed ban on construction in Multan and Lahore from Saturday to next Sunday.

She said that the health desk has canceled the staff holidays in hospitals and necessary instruction has been to the departments to provide medicines while the citizens should not go out on bikes except in emergency and use masks.

The senior minister added that she will see the data by Wednesday and smog has turned into a health crisis. She said the Punjab government is taking all possible measures to prevent smog and has given a 10-year policy to prevent smog.

Maryam Aurangzeb said that various departments of the government are working day and night to prevent smog and kilns that do not follow zigzag technology are being demolished, but controlling smog is a long-term process. She said three 3-month emergency measures are being taken to control this.

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The senior minister added that due to smog, schools will remain closed for another week and online classes will be held in colleges and universities.

The restaurants have been given time till 4 pm, but take away food from restaurants will be allowed till 8 pm.