LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged the masses to stay at their houses during four holidays – Thursday to Sunday.

He said Section 144 had been imposed under environmental and health emergencies.

“We will not allow the people to come out of their houses unnecessarily. There will not be much restriction on Iqbal Day but later anti-smog measures will be strictly implemented.”

He said the lesser number of traffic on the roads would provide ease in improving the environment.

“Next four days are highly important regarding smog. We are in contact with the trader community. The trader community should realise that traffic will be closed. The traders will also make announcements regarding closing down markets. The steps being taken for the eradication of smog will definitely lessen the smog intensity. I have talked with the State Bank governor regarding measures being taken for smog eradication.”

Mr Naqvi also visited the Bund Road Controlled Access Corridor project. He inspected the route from Saggian up to Babu Sabu interchange and reviewed ongoing construction activities.

He directed the staff to speed up the construction and widen roads of the project, adding that encroachments surrounding the roads should be removed. He directed to further improve the design of the project.

Meanwhile, the chief minister visited the Government Junior Model High School, Model Town to check the steps taken for the revamping of its building.The CM and provincial ministers, including Mansoor Qadir, Amir Mir and Azfar Ali Nasir, reviewed the implementation of the instructions, given during the previous visit, to improve the condition of the school.

The chief minister also visited the classrooms, met students and asked about their problems.

Mr Naqvi ordered to replace the old computers in the IT lab and directed the deputy commissioner to provide modern computers without delay as it was not possible to get education without computers in modern times.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2023