Tag: Lahore

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‘Smog Now A Full-Blown Health Crisis In Pakistan’s Punjab’

Over the past few weeks, Punjab has experienced hazardous smog levels, with Lahore and Multan among the worst-affected cities. Multan’s Air Quality Index (AQI) readings have crossed 2,000 twice, setting a new record for air pollution, while Lahore recently ranked as the world’s most polluted city, peaking at an AQI of 1,591.

Dense smog across Punjab has escalated into a full-blown health crisis, according to Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Friday, the minister highlighted the severe impact of toxic air pollution on public health and outlined the government’s measures to combat the worsening situation, Dawn reported.

Over the past few weeks, Punjab has experienced hazardous smog levels, with Lahore and Multan among the worst-affected cities. Multan’s Air Quality Index (AQI) readings have crossed 2,000 twice, setting a new record for air pollution, while Lahore recently ranked as the world’s most polluted city, peaking at an AQI of 1,591.

This has led to nearly two million cases of respiratory and related diseases, including asthma, conjunctivitis, and heart conditions, with children and vulnerable groups particularly affected.

Aurangzeb stated, “At the moment, the smog [crisis] has turned into a health crisis,” linking the problem to climate change. She noted that the Punjab government has introduced a 10-year climate change policy addressing various environmental challenges, including smog, floods, and rehabilitation efforts.

“The Punjab chief minister has made a 10-year plan for smog, together with all sectors and departments, and the sectors were given targets,” she explained.

The government’s actions include distributing 1,000 super-seeders at subsidised rates to curb stubble burning, installing emission control systems in industries through a loan program, and demolishing over 800 brick kilns, reported Dawn.

Aurangzeb added that infrastructure for vehicle fitness certification and AQI monitoring has been established, while 30 gas analysers have been deployed to check vehicle emissions.

Addressing Lahore’s inadequate forest cover, which stands at just 3 per cent compared to the international standard of 36 per cent, the minister said the government is implementing the “Green Master Plan” to increase greenery. She also called on journalists and vloggers to help raise awareness about smog: “Criticise [us] but also use that mic to create awareness about smog.”

Meanwhile, Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EPCCD) Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar hinted at drastic measures, including a potential “complete lockdown” and school closures if smog levels persist. Electric buses are also slated to be introduced by June next year as part of long-term measures.

At a Lahore High Court hearing, Justice Shahid Karim emphasised the need for a comprehensive 10-year policy and urged the government to prevent agricultural land from being converted into housing societies. He also called for extensive tree-planting initiatives and the installation of water treatment plants in larger homes to address environmental concerns, Dawn reported.

As Punjab struggles with alarming pollution levels, Aurangzeb remains hopeful that collective action and long-term policies will mitigate the smog crisis over time. (ANI)

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Lahore’s toxic smog cloud now visible from space 

Cities of Lahore and Multan have been blanketed by the dark haze which engulfed streets and blocked buildings from view….reports Asian Lite News

 

Thick, toxic smog clouds enveloping Pakistani city Lahore , which has been reeling under severe pollution can in now visible from space as per satellite imagery taken by US space agency NASA, Geo News reported. 

Various cities in Pakistan, including major ones like Multan and Islamabad are battling the smog crisis. 

Geo News reported that cities of Lahore and Multan have been blanketed by the dark haze which engulfed streets and blocked buildings from view. 

According to the Swiss air quality technology company IQAir Lahore on Tuesday turned out to have the most polluted air in the world. At noon today the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore stood at 429 with one locality showing real time AQI reading of 720. 

The deteriorating air quality in Pakistan saw the UNICEF issuing a warning that the highly polluted air in Punjab is posing severe risks to people, including more than 11 million children under the age of five, Geo News observed. 

It stated that hundreds of people, including dozens of children, have been hospitalised in hard-hit cities, and the pollution is so severe that it is visible from space. 

“As smog continues to persist in Punjab province, I am extremely concerned about the well-being of young children who are forced to breathe polluted, toxic air,” Pakistan Unicef representative Abdullah Fadil said in a statement issued in Islamabad. 

It is also important to note that the pollution has forced the authorities in Pakistan to close schools and public spaces because the smog threatens the health of tens of millions of people, Geo News noted. 

Officials in Lahore have deemed this season as unprecedented even though major South Asian cities suffer with poisonous smog each year. 

Experts stated that the severe pollution in Lahore can no longer be dismissed as seasonal, with hazardous smog persisting even in summer months, a sign of “systemic environmental mismanagement.” 

The crisis stems not just from stubble burning but from uncontrolled vehicular emissions, outdated industrial practices, and ineffective environmental oversight. (ANI) 

Experts urge Pak PM to intervene 

Air quality experts in Pakistan have sounded the alarm over hazardous air pollution, particularly in Punjab, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take decisive action. 

In a letter addressed to the premier, the Pakistan Air Quality Experts (PAQx) emphasised the critical public health risks posed by the current smog crisis and proposed immediate steps to mitigate its impact, Dawn reported. 

Last month, air quality in Punjab was officially declared a “calamity.” As part of measures to reduce exposure, schools across major cities in the province have been closed until November 17, while the public has been prohibited from entering parks, zoos, playgrounds, and museums during the same period. 

Abdullah Fadil, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative in Pakistan, expressed grave concern about the smog’s impact, stating that more than 11 million children under five in the worst-affected districts of Punjab are currently exposed to dangerous air pollution levels. 

In their letter, PAQx highlighted the severity of the situation, noting, “The severe decline in air quality across Punjab and other regions of Pakistan has reached hazardous levels, posing a critical public health risk that demands immediate and strategic action.” 

The group, comprising 27 professionals in fields such as environmental science, public health, and law, acknowledged existing environmental legislation but stressed the need for solutions based on “scientific evidence and global best practices,” reported Dawn. 

Among its recommendations, PAQx called for the immediate shutdown of brick kilns, identifying them as “one of the largest contributors to air pollution.” The letter stated, “A shutdown would immediately reduce emissions by 15 per cent.” 

Additionally, the experts suggested restricting heavy transport between 10 pm and 10 am, which they claim would “provide an immediate reduction in harmful pollutants in urban areas by a further 15pc.” 

The group also urged the government to shut down industrial units that fail to comply with environmental regulations, stating, “Industries that fail to comply with environmental standards should be shut down, significantly reducing air pollution levels in highly populated areas by 15pc.” 

To ensure a sustainable future, PAQx proposed a 12-point plan, including aligning national standards with those of the World Health Organisation, establishing clean air zones in Lahore and the twin cities, and transitioning to clean energy, Dawn reported. 

“These recommendations reflect a collaborative, science-based approach to tackling air pollution. We believe that their implementation will help Pakistan move toward a cleaner, healthier future,” the letter concluded. (ANI) 

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Extreme Pollution Forces Lockdowns In Pakistan’s Cities

The city of Multan turned apocalyptic as the city crossed the 2000 mark on Air Quality Index reading on Friday morning

The smog situation continues to worsen in Pakistan’s Punjab. On Friday morning, the city of Multan turned apocalyptic as the city crossed the 2000 mark on Air Quality Index reading, as per Dawn.

The state government of Pakistan’s Punjab is on high alert and is implementing various measures to bring down the pollution levels.

The state closed parks and museums till November 17 as air quality worsened to record level in all major cities of Punjab.

According to Dawn, Multan, the largest city in south Punjab province of Pakistan, recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 2,135 between 8am and 9am, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitor.

The concentration of PM2.5 — fine particulate matter in the air that causes the most damage to health — was 947 micrograms per cubic metre, which is 189.4 times above the WHO guideline, as per IQAir.

The global health body considers anything over five micrograms per cubic metre as hazardous.

The AQI in Multan reached 980 by 10pm, at least three times over the 300 mark considered “hazardous”.

Three air quality monitors in the city at the WWF-Pakistan Office, Shamsabad Colony and Multan Cantonment showed AQI readings of 2,316, 1,635 and 1,527, respectively, at 10pm, as per Dawn.

The smog situation in Multan’s surrounding districts of Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, and Khanewal was also the same, resulting in reduced visibility on roads. The state of affairs has led to Nishtar Hospital, Multan’s biggest medical facility, establishing two smog counters in the OPD and Emergency wards due to hazardous air quality.

However, these counters did not receive any patients until Pakistani media outlets raised the issue.

Multan’s Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu on Friday imposed a ‘smart lockdown’ in the city. According to this, the markets have been directed to close by 8pm and the traffic police is to take strict action against vehicles emitting smoke.

The city administration has also directed a crackdown against stubble and waste burning and brick kilns operating without zig zag technology.

Residents of the city informed Dawn that the rules were being flouted as children were playing in the grounds and streets as the schools were closed. Citizens also complained of sore throat due to bad air quality.

Meanwhile, the AQI in Lahore was also reported above 1,000 at 12am, making it the most polluted city in the world.

According to Dawn, a “complete ban” has been imposed on the entry of people in parks, zoos, playgrounds, monuments, museums and play lands in cities like Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Chiniot and Jhang.

An official notification issued on Friday said the violators would face action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which criminalised disobedience of government orders.

Public and private schools in 18 districts of the province have already been shut.

Even though industrial and vehicular emissions and stubble burning were resulting in smog, this wind pool also had turned the situation worse, according to the EPCCD secretary.

Pakistan Punjab’s senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said steps were being taken to curb the smog. These include covering all cargo trucks with tarps, advising children to not go outdoors and imposing fines and penalties on those who flouted the rules.

Additionally, several food stalls and outlets have been closed for “violating environmental regulations”.

Several key roads were also closed in the south and central regions of Pakistan’s Punjab as the area was badly affected due to the thick smog. (ANI)

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Alarming Surge in Sexual Violence Against Women in Lahore

City Division and Sadar Division ranked first and second with eight incidents of mass sexual violence against women and minor girls, respectively…reports Asian Lite News

The incidents of sexual violence against women in Lahore, Pakistan have witnessed a rise.

According to Nai Baat, a Pakistani Urdu newspaper, at least 854 incidents took place in eleven months of this year and the Gender Crime Cell could not achieve any significant success in arresting the accused.

According to police records, 711 incidents of sexual violence against women occurred in six divisions of Lahore during the eleven months of this year, said Nai Baat.

In cases of sexual violence against women, the Cant. Division ranks first with 241 cases, and the Sadar Division ranks second with 197 cases. Model Town Division was third with 139 incidents, Iqbal Town Division was fourth with 57 incidents, Civil Lines Division was fifth with 52 incidents and City Division was sixth with 45 incidents.

City Division and Sadar Division ranked first and second with eight incidents of mass sexual violence against women and minor girls, respectively.

Model Town Division was third with six incidents; Iqbal Town Division was fourth with four incidents; Cant Division and Civil Lines Division were fifth and sixth with three incidents. In cases of sexual violence against young girls, Sadar Division ranks first with 30 cases.

Cant. Division and Model Town Division are second and third, with 22 incidents each. Iqbal Town Division stood fourth with 20 incidents; the City Division stood fifth with 12 incidents; and the Civil Lines Division stood sixth with 5 incidents.

Earlier last week, villagers set ablaze the wheat shortage facility of a farmer who allowed his daughter to study and ride a motorcycle with her younger brothers to school in Ratodero town of Larkana district in Sindh province of Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported on Monday.

It reported that the incident took place in Zangeja village, within the limits of Lashari police station on Sunday.

Aushaq Zangejo alleged that he was threatened by the villagers to stop his daughter Zainab Zangejo from riding the motorbike but he did not pay heed to their warnings.

The girl told the local media that she goes to her high school in Ratodero on the bike and her confidence is disliked in the village. (ANI)

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Lahore Tops List of Most Polluted Cities in the World

According to experts, there is an increase in air pollution during winter months due to change in wind speed, wind direction and sliding minimum temperature…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan’s Lahore on Monday remained on top of the list of the most populated cities of the world with an average pollution reading of 415, Pakistan-based ARY News reported.

According to the air pollution data shared by the Punjab Environment Protection Department, Upper Mall remained the most polluted locality with a 508 Air Quality Index reading. Meanwhile, Polo Ground Lahore Cantt had an AQI reading of 491 while Lahore College for Women University had an AQI rating of 297, Lahore College of Earth and Environmental Sciences recorded a 250 AQI and Town Hall Lahore had a 299 AQI reading.

An AQI rating between 151-200 is considered unhealthy while an AQI rating between 201 to 300 is more harmful and AQI over 300 has been extremely hazardous. Notably, the AQI is calculated based on five categories of pollution: ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

According to experts, there is an increase in air pollution during winter months due to change in wind speed, wind direction and sliding minimum temperature. The air becomes heavier in the winter in comparison to summer, causing poisonous particles in the atmosphere to move downwards and causing atmosphere pollution resulting in a layer of polluted particles, including large amounts of carbon and smoke, covering an area.

Last week, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Pakistan’s Punjab notified the imposition of smart lockdown in ten districts in view of the recent smog situation, ARY News reported.

According to the details, the smart lockdown will remain enforced in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, and Sargodha divisions. The educational institutions are also closed in the aforesaid districts. Meanwhile, markets, shops, cinemas, and restaurants will remain closed till 3 pm, according to the notification, ARY News reported.

The citizens have been warned by the environmental department about the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city which has been recorded at 379, after which Lahore became the most polluted city in the world, according to ARY News report.

The experts advised the citizens to wear face masks and take necessary precautionary measures in order to combat smog. The Punjab government officials asked citizens and industrialists to cooperate with the authorities to combat this calamity. (ANI)

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Lahore Grapples With Severe Air Pollution

The city, which had experienced five days of relatively normal air quality, saw a sudden spike with a maximum AQI of 401 recorded at 9 am, marking it as extremely unsafe for breathing…reports Asian Lite News

Following a brief respite, Lahore is once again grappling with a severe air pollution crisis as the air quality index (AQI) reaching alarming levels, Dawn reported on Wednesday.

The city, which had experienced five days of relatively normal air quality, saw a sudden spike with a maximum AQI of 401 recorded at 9 am, marking it as extremely unsafe for breathing.

Global air quality monitoring platform iqair.com provided data indicating a slight improvement in the afternoon, with the AQI dropping to 188 by 7 pm. However, hopes for sustained improvement were dashed as the air quality deteriorated again, registering an AQI of 236 at 9 pm. This unsettling development propelled Lahore to the third spot on the list of the most polluted cities globally, Dawn reported.

It is crucial to note that an AQI below 50 is considered safe for breathing, and Lahore’s current readings indicate a severe threat to public health.

Air quality varied across different areas of the city. Fida Hussain House reported an AQI of 364, Syed Maratib Ali Road at 309, CERP Office at 282, Polo Ground Cantt at 270, US Consulate in Lahore at 270, Lahore American School at 267, NetSol LHR2 at 259, Pakistan Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd at 240, DHA Phase 8 at 236, and WWF Pakistan at 231.

Lahore traditionally experiences a decline in air quality during the winter season, particularly from October to February. During this period, farmers in the wider Punjab province burn crop remnants, contributing to smog. Weather changes further exacerbate the problem by trapping pollutants in the air for a longer duration.

The primary contributors to air pollution in Lahore include vehicle and industrial emissions, smoke from brick kilns, burning of crop residue and general waste, and dust from construction sites. Deforestation for infrastructure development, such as new roads and buildings, also plays a significant role, according to Dawn.

The winter air pollution is worsened by temperature inversion, a phenomenon where a layer of warm air prevents the upward movement of pollutants, leading to their accumulation.

To combat the rising air pollution crisis, experts suggest making real-time air quality data readily available to the public with greater granularity. When individuals are aware of the pollution levels they are exposed to, they can take informed measures to protect themselves and contribute to collective efforts in combating air pollution.

Reducing industrial and vehicular emissions is identified as a critical step towards improving air quality. As the situation in Lahore continues to worsen, urgent and coordinated efforts are required to address the root causes of air pollution and safeguard the health and well-being of the city’s residents, Dawn reported. (ANI)

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Imran under tight security at Lahore residence

Security beefed up at Imran's Lahore residence amid threats

Check-posts have also been set up at the entry and exit points of Zaman Park, while more security cameras have been installed to ensure safety…reports Asian Lite News

In view of security concerns for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, a security wall has been constructed outside his Lahore residence, a media report said.

According to Express Tribune, security was enhanced outside the former Prime Minister’s residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park area after a security alert was issued by the Special Branch.

Check-posts have also been set up at the entry and exit points of Zaman Park, while more security cameras have been installed to ensure safety, the report said.

A special desk has also been set up to keep a record of people visiting the former premier’s residence. Authorities have posted women police officers for checking at the entry points.

Meanwhile, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) of Lahore, Ghulam Muhammad Dogar, visited Zaman Park and reviewed the security arrangements.

Advisor to Punjab’s Chief Minister on home affairs, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, also reached Zaman Park and said that according to the latest reports, the PTI chief is facing security threats for which his security is being increased.

Cheema added that federal government agencies were not included in the joint investigation team (JIT) formed to probe the Wazirabad attack on Khan because the latter has doubts about their heads.

President Arif Alvi is expected to arrive at Zaman Park on Friday to meet the PTI chief, Express Tribune reported.

The letter written by Khan to the President is expected to be considered during the meeting.

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Street fight in Lahore leads to one dead

Pervaiz Maseech died on Monday from trauma he sustained after being hit on the head with an iron rod during the fight….reports Asian Lite News

 A 25-year-old Christian man was killed and several others sustained injuries following a brawl between Muslim and Christian community members over the construction of a wall in a neighbourhood of Lahore’s Factory Area, Friday Times reported.

Pervaiz Maseech died on Monday from trauma he sustained after being hit on the head with an iron rod during the fight.

Several of the injured remain in critical condition.

Police told Dawn that the clash was not related to religious tensions, but pertained to a local dispute.

It was not the first time the community had erupted in violence. On Sunday, the same fight had taken place, but Lahore police, busy with the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), were unable to respond.

On Monday, nearly 200 people gathered on the street and began chanting slogans and hurling abuses towards one another.

Pervaiz, who lived on the same street, went outside to confront the group. It was then that several in the group, carrying guns, began aerial firing.

Pervaiz was surrounded by the mob and beaten on the back of his head with an iron rod, Friday Times reported.

News of the young man’s death spread quickly among the Christian community, and police remained on the scene to quash the simmering unrest.

Police have arrested a suspect and have registered a murder FIR against others involved.

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