LAHORE: Lahore’s air pollution hits toxic levels as the Air Quality Index recorded over 1000 on Saturday morning, bringing it to the top of the list of the world’s most polluted cities.
According to the Swiss air quality watchdog, IQAir, the air quality in Lahore surged to 1,067 — considered hazardous — between 8 am to 9 am despite the provincial government’s desperate measures to curb the detoritaing smog. The real-time AQI later improved to 244 by 12:15 pm.
Ahead of winter, Punjab’s several cities, specifically Lahore, have been battling with server pollution, which led the local government to impose a green lockdown in the city’s pollution-hit hotspots.
The restrictions imposed in the areas identified as air pollution hotspots, included a complete ban on construction activities, entrance of “Qingqi motorcycle-rickshaws”, operation of commercial generators, open food cooking points and food outlets using charcoal, coal, or wood without installation of proper emission control system.
Government and private offices operating in these zones are required to implement a work-from-home policy from November 4, 2024, with 50 percent rotation based on need.
The AQI was appalling 490 at Phase-8 DHA at 1 pm, 698 at Netsol, 256 at the US Consulate, 233 at Askari 10, 224 at Syed Maratib Ali Road, 459 at Syed Maratib Ali Road, 213 at Nestol, and 198 at WWF-Pakistan.
The central and southern regions of the province were also engulfed in harmful smog. Thickening smog in Multan and surrounding areas is creating further difficulties for residents.
During the press conference today, govt’s information minister Azma Bokhari responding to a question, said the government has not taken any decision regarding holidays in Lahore. “You will be informed if any such decision is taken,” she said.
Children are particularly vulnerable because they have less developed lungs and breathe more rapidly, taking in more air relative to their size than adults. According to UNICEF, nearly 600 million children in South Asia are exposed to high levels of air pollution.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has declared smog a ‘calamity’ and advised concerned departments to take measures against any activities that have contributed to the hazardous smog conditions.
The authority banned all activities causing or leading to smog formation across the province.
The pollution-causing activities that are banned include, the burning of any type of crop residue, solid waste, tyres, rubber, and plastics. Vehicles emitting visible smoke and use of all types of sub-standard fuels will also be prohibited in the city.
All industries working without emission control systems and stone crushers operating without wet scrubbers will be closed. The govt has also announced strict action against encroachments that causes hindrance in the smooth flow of traffic on public roads.
The measures are part of the government’s efforts to tackle the acute air quality crisis affecting the provincial capital, aimed at protecting public health and reducing pollution levels.
