Daily Times

All efforts made by the Punjab government to control smog in Lahore and other cities of the province have proved futile, as the Punjab capital retained its top position on the list of the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday as the air quality index (AQI) in the city was recorded at 900, turning everything murky and thus reducing visibility.

Keeping in view that a large number of people, suffering from chest and throat infections, had landed at hospitals due to extremely high pollution levels, doctors advised people to wear facemasks and take other precautionary measures.

Winds laden with smog, blowing from India to Pakistani Punjab, exacerbated the situation.

Wednesday proved to be the worst day for the Punjab capital as the AQI touched an unprecedented 1165 mark. The smog was so thick that even the rays of the sun hardly reached the ground which gave the feeling as if the day was still to dawn.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the Punjab government announced the closure of schools up to the higher secondary level, and asked the school administrations to arrange online classes for students.

Similarly, several offices have given their employees the option to work from home.

On the other hand, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar urged citizens to avoid going outside unnecessarily, and if it was really necessary, wear facemasks and take other precautionary measures. Similarly, he said, people should also keep the doors and windows of their homes shut.

To make matters worse, the weather department said there were no chances of rain in the city and most other parts of the country during the next 24 hours.