Smog has once again engulfed parts of Punjab, severely impacting air quality and creating hazardous conditions for residents. In Lahore and other cities across the province, the air quality index (AQI) has reached dangerously high levels, causing significant health concerns for the public. Lahore’s AQI currently stands at around 315, with the Gulberg 2 area recording a staggering 519, far exceeding safe limits.
The deteriorating air quality is also being felt in other major cities of Punjab. Multan’s AQI has reached 453, Gujranwala is at 221, Faisalabad stands at 247, and Rawalpindi is reporting an AQI of 264. The situation is similarly grim in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with Peshawar’s AQI hitting 500, reflecting widespread pollution across the region.
The smog has not only compromised air quality but also caused travel disruptions due to low visibility. Several major motorways, including the M2 from Lahore to Kot Sarwar, the M3 from Sumundri to Darkhana, the M4 from Pindi Bhattian to Abdul Hakim, and the M11 from Lahore to Sialkot, have been closed to ensure driver safety.
In response to the escalating pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), local authorities, and law enforcement agencies are actively conducting anti-smog operations. In the past 24 hours alone, 25 individuals have been arrested, and 104 cases have been registered for violating anti-smog regulations. So far this year, over 2,000 arrests have been made, with nearly 2,500 cases filed, and around 740 vehicles have been impounded.
The Punjab government has implemented several measures to combat the smog crisis. Schools across the province, from primary to higher secondary levels, will remain closed until November 17. Shops have been instructed to shut by 8pm, and fifty percent of public and private sector offices will operate under work-from-home arrangements. Wearing masks in smog-affected areas has been made mandatory, and city authorities are closely monitoring the enforcement of "green lockdowns" in Lahore to reduce pollution.
As the smog crisis continues to worsen, these measures are part of an ongoing effort to reduce pollution levels and protect the health and well-being of residents.
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