Lahore again experienced hazardous air quality on Thursday, ranking as the most polluted city in the world with an Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 1,000, as authorities grapple with the ongoing smog crisis. The AQI in Lahore peaked at 1,537, maintaining consistently hazardous levels over the past 24 hours.
In response to the severe air pollution, the government has restricted public access to parks, zoos, playgrounds, and museums, and closed schools across the province until November 17 to minimize public exposure to the smog.
Earlier this week, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative in Pakistan urged for urgent and intensified efforts to combat air pollution, highlighting that over 11 million children under five in Punjab’s worst-affected districts are exposed to the smog.
Other cities in Punjab also reported high AQI levels, with Multan at 459, Faisalabad at 405, Pindi Bhattian at 373, and Mangla at 356, all exceeding the “hazardous” threshold of 300.
In a separate development, the Punjab government announced the closure of five toll plazas due to smog, as per a road and weather report by the National Highway and Motorway Police. These include four on the M4 motorway in Toba Tek Singh and one in Khanewal. Previously, several motorways, including the M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5, faced closures or traffic restrictions due to poor visibility caused by smog.
Efforts to combat the smog include a comprehensive initiative led by Multan City Police Officer (CPO) Sadiq Ali Dogar, deploying 457 officers to support the district administration, Environmental Protection Agency, agriculture department, waste management, and industries. These efforts have reportedly reduced smog levels from an AQI of 1914 to 339.
The police have impounded 1,157 smoke-emitting vehicles, imposed fines totaling Rs1.2 million, and registered 128 cases against brick kilns. Additionally, 12 industrial facilities and smoke-emitting mobile oil reclamation plants have been shut down.
Authorities have also identified and taken action against illegal waste burning, registering five cases, and have filed 52 cases related to stubble burning of paddy crops. Tractor trolleys transporting sand for construction have been impounded, and shops are being closed at 8 PM to enforce anti-smog measures.
Regular inspections of suspected stubble-burning sites and brick kilns are being conducted to prevent violations, alongside a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the smog crisis.
