ISLAMABAD: Associated mainly with spring season, the residents of federal capital are in the full grip these days of a familiar nemesis, the ever-increasing pollen-cum-dust allergy. Consequently, life is difficult to live not just for those afflicted and also for public at large as air-borne diseases are at their peak. Once few in numbers, the pollen and dust allergy victims are increasing day by day, while the authorities concerned are not adopting measures on emergency basis to eradicate this source of irritation. An official of NIH said, “A drive is launched jointly by National Institute of Health (NIH) and Capital Development Authority (CDA) to cope with pollen allergy and in this regard, NIH has deployed doctors and paramedic staff which are dealing almost 500 allergy patients daily at NIH Laboratory”. He said, “Early season trimming of all trees, causing pollen allergy was also launched in the federal capital to control pollen count and provide maximum respite to the allergy-hit patients”. Pakistan Meteorological Department Met Office Director Dr Muhammad Hanif said that the rains reduce pollen counts but as soon as the sun comes out they grow rapidly. “The weather conditions foreseen during April will be relatively drier and sunny as compared to March”. Informing about the types of pollens, the director said that the paper mulberry, pine, dandelion, cannabis, acacia, alternaria, eucalyptus and grasses are common but paper mulberry is the most abundant in concentration within capital’s touching extreme limits of even more than 40,000 per cubic metre of air at the peak of pre and post winter season. According to the advisory issued by National Institute of Health (NIH), in the spring, pollen count in air increases because of trees, dandelion, grass and flowers resulting in respiratory problems, rash in eyes and red skin problems among masses. A resident Bilal Aslam of sector G7 said, “Spring blossoms to add colour to the nature but it becomes really difficult to live in the capital during peak days of allergy without taking preventive measures”. A child specialist Dr Talat Pervaiz said, “During the past few years allergy cases are increasing consistently especially among children. Three to four children hit by allergy are being reported on daily basis”. The Met office director said that the pollen-monitoring unit (PMU) of Pakistan Meteorological Department monitors pollen counts in the capital city but in limited areas. While talking about the tall claims of Capital Development Authority (CDA), he said that the deforestation, poor use of land in Pakistan and fake environmental assessment reports are causing climate change and allergic diseases. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Media Coordinator Dr Waseem Khawaja said that the pollen allergy symptoms includes sneezing, runny nose, watering of eyes, coughing, improper breathing, wheezing and eventually attacks of seasonal asthma. The skin can also become itchy sometimes. He urged the authorities concerned including his own office, CDA and Climate Ministry to take the matter seriously before it gets too late.