The caretaker government of Punjab on Wednesday declared a smog emergency in the province while emphasising that the closure of schools and transportation would not be sufficient to combat the condition.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired the meeting convened to review the deteriorating smog situation.

The government has made it mandatory for all school-going children to wear masks for a period of one month as a protective measure. Naqvi reiterated the importance of the decision while urging the masses to use masks.

The provincial ministers have been instructed to visit public and private schools and provide assistance to them immediately.

Similarly, the authorities have directed for withdrawal of fines that have been previously imposed on farmers during the smog crisis.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police, and senior officials.

Earlier today, the Lahore High Court ordered the district administration to declare a ‘smog emergency’ in the provincial capital.

The orders were issued in a hearing of the smog case by Justice Shahid Kareem on Wednesday where DC Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa appeared in person.

Justice Kareem told the DC that he was in charge of the city but it was in a bad state.