Multan has earned the unfortunate title of being Pakistan's most polluted city, with air quality levels soaring to alarming heights during the night. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city recently surged past 1,900, highlighting the severity of the pollution.
Lahore isn't far behind, ranking as the second most polluted city in the country, which is home to over 240 million people.
The ongoing smog issue has raised major concerns about air quality across several urban centers, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Key contributors to this pollution include industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and agricultural burning.
In response, authorities have implemented strict measures to protect public health and safety. For instance, the Lahore High Court has ordered the closure of markets in Punjab by 8 pm and a halt to commercial activities on Sundays.
Measures to Tackle Pollution
To curb pollution during peak hours, authorities have taken the following steps:
- Recreational sites, including sports fields, museums, and zoos, across all 18 smog-affected districts will remain closed until November 17.
- Tourism and entertainment activities in Lahore's Walled City area have also been suspended until then.
Motorways Shut Down
The thick fog and pollution have forced the closure of major motorways in Punjab, including:
- M1 (Charsadda to Akbarpura)
- M2 (Lahore to Kot Sarwar)
- M4 (Pindi Bhattian to Abdul Hakeem)
- M5 (Shershah to Jhangara)
- Lahore-Sialkot Motorway
The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) have urged commuters to travel during daylight hours, between 10 am and 6 pm, when visibility is clearer.
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