LAHORE: The provincial government said on Tuesday that it has decided to keep Lahore shut every Wednesday for two months as part of smog prevention measures.
The move practically means that all banks, educational institutions and markets will remain closed to ensure that most people stay indoors.
Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa chaired a meeting in connection with smog prevention measures, which was attended by the Lahore CCPO and trader leaders from all main markets of the city.
Lahore DC Adnan Rasheed, Additional Deputy Commissioner (general) Zeeshan Ranjha and assistant commissioners were part of the deliberations.
Traders' representatives accepted the proposal given by the Lahore commissioner and the CCPO to prevent smog.
Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Randhawa said Lahore would remain closed every Wednesday for two months. He said schools, markets, private and public institutions and banks would remain closed on Wednesdays, and work from home would be done.
He said the months of October and November were important in connection with smog. He said intra-city traffic would be zero on Wednesday. Owing to closure of schools, administrations would work from home. Randhawa said the government wanted to give breathing space to the city. He added that clubs and hotels would remain closed.
CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana said that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were the days when smog index was seen high. He said traders could open their shops on Sunday. The decision will be enforced from the next Wednesday (Oct 18).