ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province has banned the entry of heavy transport vehicles (HTVs) in Lahore on Fridays and Sundays in its efforts to contain air pollution that has enveloped the megacity, putting the health of millions of people at risk. 

For days, Lahore, a city of 14 million people, has been enveloped by dense smog, a mix of fog and pollutants caused by low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal stubble burning and winter cooling. The air quality index, which measures a range of pollutants, exceeded 1,000 on Saturday and Sunday, well above the level of 300 that is considered “dangerous” for human health, according to data from IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitor.

In its efforts to protect people from the harmful effects of smog, the Punjab government announced on Sunday it was shutting primary schools in Lahore for a week. Last month, authorities banned schoolchildren from outdoor exercise until January and adjusted school hours to prevent children from traveling when the pollution is most punishing. The provincial environmental protection agency announced new restrictions in four “hot spots” in the city while rickshaws equipped with polluting two-stroke engines are banned, as are restaurants that barbecue without filters.

Government offices and private companies will have half their staff work from home starting Monday. Other safety measures mean that construction work has been halted and street and food vendors, who often cook over open fires, must close at 8 pm.

A notification by Punjab’s Environmental Protection Agency on Sunday said a thorough analysis of the air quality deterioration in Lahore has concluded that vehicular emission is the “major source of air pollution” in the city. It added that the volume of traffic increases vehemently on Friday and Sunday evenings and nights. 

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh (PAS), Director General, Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab in exercise of the powers conferred upon me u/s 6(1) (t) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, do hereby order that there shall be complete ban on the entry of Heavy Transport Vehicles (HTVs) in District Lahore on Friday and Sunday nights,” the notification said. 

“The HTVs may enter in District Lahore as per their already specified timings in other.”

The notification said that the ban will come into effect from Nov. 8 and will stay in place till Jan. 31, 2025. It further said that passenger buses, ambulances, fire brigades, Rescue 1122 vehicles, police and prison vehicles, government vehicles and HTVs carrying fuel, medicines and food supply items will be exempt from the ban. 

PUNJAB CALLS FOR PRECAUTIONS

Provincial Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday called on people to wear masks and not venture out unnecessarily to keep themselves safe from the pollution. She said the provincial government had established smog counters at hospitals. 

“Public should strictly follow precautionary measures, the elderly, the sick and children should be especially careful,” Aurangzeb said. 

She warned farmers against burning crop residues.

“Arrests and fines for violations will continue,” she added. 

Breathing the toxic air has catastrophic health consequences, with the World Health Organization saying strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases can be triggered by prolonged exposure.

On Saturday, the concentration of deadly PM2.5 pollutants — fine particulate matter in the air that causes most damage to health — was more than 40 times the level deemed acceptable by the WHO. PM2.5 levels on Sunday morning exceeded that before decreasing slightly.

Children are particularly vulnerable because they have less developed lungs and breathe more rapidly, taking in more air relative to their size than adults.

— With additional input from AFP
 

MELBOURNE: Buckaroo and Vauban head into Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup as joint favorites in Australia’s “race that stops a nation,” where there will be a record four women jockeys.

First run in 1861, the punishing 3,200-meter (two-mile) handicap at Flemington is regarded as the ultimate test of stamina and staying power.

With Aus$8 million ($5.25 million) at stake, the winner of the 24-strong field will bank Aus$4.4 million and instantly become a household name in Australia, where the race is a cultural institution.

Carrying 54.5kg, the Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo finished second at the Caulfield Cup over 2,400 meters this year, on the back of two wins earlier in the season.

Drawn out wide in barrier 21, the six-year-old gelding has again been entrusted to Brazilian Joao Moreira — twice a runner-up — with its odds shortening after red-hot favorite Via Sistina was axed last week.

Also trained by Waller, Via Sistina stormed to victory by eight lengths in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last month, propelling the mare through the rankings.

But owner Yulong Investments has opted to rest her.

“Buckaroo is the form horse,” said Waller, who trained 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant and has four starters in Tuesday’s race.

“He has come through his Caulfield Cup run really well.”

Another highly rated contender, Irish import Jan Brueghel, was scratched after failing a vet inspection, reportedly due to weakness in a lower leg.

The four-year-old had won all four career starts since arriving in Australia a month ago and miffed trainer Aidan O’Brien blasted the decision as “ridiculous.”

With those two out, top-weight Vauban (55.5kg) firmed as joint favorite after drawing barrier 11 and with top English jockey William Buick on the reins.

Foaled in France but Irish trained, Vauban jetted into Australia last year as a hot tip to win but failed to deliver, finishing 14th and struggling in the heat.

Trainer Willie Mullins is nevertheless confident after the seven-year-old’s second place at the Irish St. Leger in September behind superstar stayer Kyprios.

“As we know, you just don’t arrive and pick up the prize,” Mullins told reporters.

“Last year a lot of people had us marked down for that, but I think our horses’ preparations this year have been good.

“Vauban’s form has been very good all season and he brings great depth of form into the race.”

Ace jockey Mark Zahra has ridden the last two Melbourne Cup winners — Without a Fight and Gold Trip— and will again be in the hunt, this time on five-year-old stallion Circle of Fire, currently third favorite.

But he has his work cut out after drawing the widest barrier possible at 24.

“Twenty-four is ordinary... but Mark’s flying so it won’t matter,” said trainer Ciaron Maher.

Kerrin McEvoy is looking for a fourth win, steering Absurde, another from the Mullins stable.

Four women jockeys are in the race, more than ever before.

Jamie Kah will saddle up Okita Soushi alongside Rachel King (The Map), Winona Costin (Positivity) and British star Hollie Doyle (Sea King).

Michelle Payne is the only woman rider to win the Melbourne Cup after she steered Prince of Penzance to victory in 2015.