The Punjab province in Pakistan facing heavy smog effects which has confused the government to impose a health emergency and lockdown in smog-affected areas like Lahore and Multan, which are the two most affected cities. So that is a crucial matter to rapidly manage the air pollution challenges and it mostly has a bad effect on public health.
Lahore which is the capital of Punjab province recorded globally as the most polluted city with the number of 11 million population, usually, Lahore is repeatedly recorded as the world’s most polluted city in air quality. On Friday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) hit an alarming level of 600—far beyond the threshold of 300, which is considered dangerous to health.
Multan is another major city in Punjab, which is also reported critically for low air quality, making it the most polluted city in Pakistan according to data from IQ Air air quality technology company.
Emergency Declared
Higher authorities have decided to remain closed the educational institutions in smog-affected areas, while restricted restaurant operations remain closed at 4 PM, and limited food shops until 8 PM. Construction working areas have been stopped in Lahore and Multan, and a mini-lockdown has been imposed to stop activities that spread more pollution.
Read: India Not to Play ICC Champion Trophy 2025 in Pakistan
Additionally, all medical staff have been instructed to remain on duty, ensuring enough healthcare for the rising number of patients suffering from smog-related illnesses.
What Are the Causes of Smog?
According to the experts, smog causes emissions are happening due to vehicles, industrial activities, construction, and crop burning. This toxic mixture wastes during winter as cold air traps pollutants closer to the ground.
The Punjab government has also noticed cross-border pollution from India, where farm fires and industrial emissions leave hazardous air quality in northern regions.
Government Declared Emergency
The air quality has severely impacted public health, with about 2 million people in Punjab seeking medical facilities for smog-related issues in October alone. There are respiratory problems, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and strokes have increased.
In Lahore, more than 119,000 cases of asthma and 13,000 heart disease diagnoses were reported during the same period. Higher authorities indicate that prolonged exposure to such hazardous air could lead to further health difficulties.
Lahore High Court
The Lahore High Court (LHC) share views to focus on implementing a long-term smog control system. Justice Shahid Karim has called for a decade-long plan to mitigate the crisis, with plans to transition to electric buses in Punjab by mid-2024 already in motion.
The court also instructed urban forestry initiatives, stricter regulations on housing societies encroaching on agricultural land, and mandatory water treatment systems for residential areas. It encouraged the government to learn from Beijing’s environmental strategies and implement similar measures.
The government department Meteorological has forecast rain and heavy winds in the upcoming days, which could help decrease smog and temporarily improve air quality across Punjab province. However, the government know that permanent solutions are essential to prevent the recurrence of such crises.
Public Reaction
Citizens must ensure to decrease activities outside of home and close the windows and doors properly. The mandatory thing is to wear masks to protect themselves from pollution. The government making efforts to control the smog crisis which are coupled with public cooperation. These efforts are crucial for a safe environment, health and improving air quality in the region.
This year’s environmental challenge highlights the urgent need for timely action and cross-border cooperation to point out the detailed causes of smog and ensure a healthier environmental future for the people of Punjab.
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy
In this harmful smog situation, spend more time at home and safely maintain office, and school work. Ensure to spend minimum time on outdoor activities during pollution hours. Every citizen must manage physical activities safely like jogging or cycling to avoid harmful smog. Use a high-quality N95 or N99 mask when you go out of the home, and keep closed windows and doo to stop smog from entering your home.
Maintaining good health and make strong immune system which is very important. Regularly take care of your face and hands to remove pollutants to be safe. Taking showers after entering to home is necessary. To eat wealthy food, then regularly use, vegetables, and green tea to help your body protect against the harmful disadvantages of pollution. Control indoor pollution like smoking, burning candles, or using wood, as they will increase smog-related health diseases.
Try to pollution levels through different apps and websites to Monitor Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) when the smog level is lower. If you face little health problems then take medicine or get in touch with a doctor if symptoms are. The Punjab government has already taken appreciated steps to manage the smog issues all over the smog-affected areas with the help of modern technology.
Recently, the government started an artificial intelligence rain to decrease the smog effect and improve air quality to normal. On the other side, people perform Nimaz for rain in Punjab.
