Punjab Govt Orders Work From Home Amid Smog in Four Divisions

The Punjab government has introduced a policy enabling public and private sector employees in the Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan divisions to work remotely due to the rising air pollution levels.

According to this new rule, companies will only have 50% people working there in person. The other 50% will be expected to do their jobs from home. The strategy aims to cut commuting pollution and restrict inhabitants’ exposure to the region’s dangerous haze.

Maryam Aurangzeb, senior minister of Punjab, decided during a news conference in Lahore, where she also detailed the government’s extensive strategy to reduce the health concerns caused by the present pollution situation.

According to Aurangzeb, lowering the number of workers on-site and cutting down on daily travel would help ease traffic and lower the amount of pollution in areas that are badly affected.

Government departments have been directed to use virtual platforms such as Zoom to conduct meetings and interact with staff.

Further, Aurangzeb said that these temporary restrictions are needed to deal with the serious health effects of the persistent smog, which has been made worse by winds from neighboring areas carrying pollution across the border.

The government has issued a strong call for all organizations to work together and comply with the new regulations in order to improve air quality and protect public health.