With the authorities appeared helpless about to combat the thickening fog, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday stepped in ordering a string of measures including shutting the markets at 8:00 pm and day-long closure on Sundays. The LHC also ordered a crackdown against the smoke-emitting vehicles and directed Punjab transport secretary to impound buses releasing thick smoke in the atmosphere. The LHC judge said staff of all private offices should work from home on two days of the week. The smog situation in Punjab has reached critical levels, with Lahore now ranked as the second most polluted city globally. Lahore city has risen to the top of Pakistan’s most polluted cities, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 748 recorded. Alongside the pollution, a wave of illnesses has affected the city, as over 129,000 citizens have suffered from smog-related health issues in just one month.

Across Punjab, 1.9 million cases of respiratory illnesses have been reported, with hospitals experiencing an influx as at least 5,000 individuals seek treatment daily for various ailments. A report from Lahore indicates there has been no implementation of anti-smog measures, and residents are disregarding mask usage. However, Lahore Police have intensified their efforts to tackle environmental violators, registering 200 cases and arresting 212 individuals as part of an ongoing anti-smog campaign. Eight people were arrested for burning fuel, tar, and carbon boards, 87 for construction materials, and 18 for crop residue. Additional arrests include 25 for burning tyres and plastic bags, 49 for factory violations, and 25 for waste burning. Across different divisions of the city, multiple arrests have also been made, with City Division accounting for 57, Cantt for 75, and Model Town for 48 arrests.

According to CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana, the police have adopted a zero-tolerance approach and are utilising Safe City cameras to monitor pollution sources. The city of River Ravi has also witnessed a continuous “anti-smog night operation” now entering its fifth week, resulting in the sealing of one pyrolysis plant and five factories. Deputy Directors Waqar Ahmed and Kashan Ali led the operations, which included actions on Karol Ghatti, Turk Road, and Mahmood Booti, sealing plants and furnaces not equipped with scrubbers. Meanwhile, Multan is also facing rising smog levels, ranking second in air pollution across Pakistan. The Meteorological Department reported a minimum temperature of 20°C and a maximum of 33°C, with 94% humidity recorded. Dry weather is forecasted for the next 24 hours. In Toba Tek Singh, visibility has been severely reduced due to heavy smog and fog, leading to motorways M-4 and M-3 closure.

The shutdown has shifted traffic pressure onto GT Road. The city recorded an AQI of 252. Distric Okara and surrounding areas are also experiencing heavy smog, impacting traffic and causing respiratory issues for asthma patients. Citizens report eye irritation and breathing difficulties, with heart, diabetes, and kidney patients also feeling the impact.  Medical experts have advised the people of Punjab to take precautions by wearing glasses and masks outdoors to avoid unnecessary travel. As many as ten cars were involved in a pile-up due to thick smog near Minar Interchange on Motorway-II near Sheikhupura on Friday morning. Five people were injured in the accident and were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital for treatment. Motorway police, FWO and Rescue 1122 were present on the accident site while loss of millions of rupees was ascertained due to destruction of the vehicles.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan