Lahore has been ranked as the second most polluted city in the world today according to the Air Quality Index (AQI), with the air quality significantly worsening due to heavy fog and smog. Several motorways in Punjab have been closed due to reduced visibility and unsafe conditions.
New Delhi, India, topped the list with an alarming AQI of 1091, while Lahore’s AQI reached 518 this morning. The thick smog has created hazardous visibility, with some areas experiencing zero visibility.
Other cities in Pakistan are also grappling with poor air quality, with Multan ranking second, Islamabad in third, Rawalpindi in fourth, and Peshawar in fifth.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a warning, stating that dense fog and smog are covering most of Punjab’s plains, and similar conditions are affecting several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Rain is expected this evening in Gilgit-Baltistan and the upper regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with snowfall expected in mountainous areas.
Residents of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plains are advised to prepare for persistent smog in the morning and severe fog at night. Authorities have recommended minimizing outdoor activities and exercising caution while traveling.
The smog and fog in Punjab have led to the closure of multiple motorways, disrupting traffic. Motorway M-3 from Lahore to Dera Ghazi Khan, M-4 from Pindi Bhattian to Abdul Hakeem, and M-2 from Lahore to Sheikhupura have been shut down.
A motorway police spokesperson stated that these closures are to ensure public safety. Travelers are encouraged to travel between 10 am and 6 pm, when visibility is better, and use fog lights on both the front and rear of their vehicles.
The motorway police also urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel, drive cautiously, and maintain a safe distance. For assistance regarding smog, people can contact the helpline at 130.
After improvements in the air quality, the Punjab government has reopened schools and colleges in Murree. The Environment Protection Agency, Punjab, confirmed that schools and colleges in Murree remain open despite the low air quality index.
The Punjab government has also allowed sports events to proceed in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, though children under 18 are prohibited from participating.
A large-scale operation is underway in Punjab against smoke-emitting vehicles, with inspections being conducted at bus and truck terminals. In Lahore, 38 special anti-smog squads are working to prevent heavily polluting vehicles from operating on the roads.
Senior Minister of Punjab, Marriyum Aurangzeb, highlighted the government’s actions to reduce outdoor activities and emphasized adapting business operations to daylight hours.
The smog crisis has affected education in Punjab, with schools and colleges closing temporarily. Private schools have been instructed to switch half of their staff to online work.
Meanwhile, the Dolphin Force has begun operations against vehicles emitting excessive smoke in Lahore.
