Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that the Chief Minister of Punjab has ordered the immediate closure of all under-construction buildings, roads, and sites that fail to follow environmental SOPs. The move aims to combat the worsening smog crisis in the province.
The minister warned the Private Schools Association that action will be taken if schools open before 8:45 a.m. She advised children, the elderly, and patients to stay indoors from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m. to reduce their exposure to smog-related health risks.
Marriyum Aurangzeb highlighted a significant drop in crop residue burning incidents, crediting drone surveillance for the improvement. She said Punjab is undergoing a climate-resilient shift, with environment-friendly policies now being implemented. The province has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on construction activities, vehicle exhaust, and plastic use.
Night patrolling by Assistant Commissioners, Police, and the Agriculture Department has increased across districts. The identification and mapping of green zones is complete, and the environmental monitoring system is fully operational.
