There is no end in sight to smog in different cities of Punjab, at least in near future, as Lahore, the city of gardens, once again topped the list of most polluted cities in the world as its air quality index (AQI) reached 430 on Thursday, making it difficult for the people even to breath. The situation prompted the Punjab government to impose emergency in the city and advise people to wear facemasks before stepping out of their homes.  The AQI at Syed Maratab Ali Road in Lahore was recorded at 454. Similarly, it was 410 at Gang Ram, and 311 at The Mall.   Minimum temperature in the provincial capital was recorded at 21 degrees Celsius, while it was expected to go up to 30 degrees Celsius later in the day.

The Met Office, on the other hand, forecast dry weather for the city during the next 24 hours. Enforcement inspectors assigned duties In view of increase in smog, administrator Lahore has assigned duties to enforcement inspectors. The administrator has asked them to work alongside Lahore Waste Management Committee (LWMC) employees. As many as 48 enforcement inspectors will work under the supervision of LWMC MD in eight zones of the Punjab capital.

 Action underway against smoke-emitting vehicles On the directives of Additional IG Traffic, Punjab Mirza Faran Beg, action is underway against the smoke-emitting vehicles.  Spokesman for the Traffic Police has said that over 140, 000 such vehicles have been challaned.

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)