To combat the smog problem, the Punjab government has proposed shutting down wedding halls in November and December next year. Faced with this announcement, wedding hall owners expressed their frustration, arguing that the solution to smog lies in controlling smoke-emitting industries and reducing traffic pollution, not by imposing restrictions on wedding venues. They criticized the decision as hasty and said that banning wedding halls essentially means banning weddings.
According to wedding hall owners, their industry is linked to various sectors and provides livelihoods for millions of people. The public also appears to disagree with the government’s suggestion to shut down wedding halls in November and December, arguing that a ban during the wedding season would cause significant inconvenience and lead to unemployment. Citizens believe the government should explore alternative options.
It is worth noting that the Lahore High Court recently directed the government to develop a 10-year policy to tackle smog. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has started working on a policy to restrict weddings in November, December, and January from next year to curb smog. The air quality situation in Punjab remains critical, with Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) still at a hazardous level of 432.
