ISLAMABAD: Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city and provincial capital of Punjab province, has been ranked the second most polluted city in the world in terms of air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA said Lahore’s air quality index has reached 332, while Faisalabad’s air quality index remained 325. Lahore has historically dealt with smog and poor air quality in the winter months.
According to the classification of the Environmental Protection Agency of Pakistan, the index from 0 to 100 is green and positive, while the index from 101 to 200 is in the category of moderately polluted but tolerable.
The index between 300 and 500 falls into the category of polluted and highly polluted, and in such a situation, heart and lung patients may face difficulty in breathing in case of prolonged air pollution.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s classification states that an air quality index of more than 500 means that the air is severely polluted and its effects can also affect healthy people.
On the other hand, the Punjab government has made the use of masks mandatory for those traveling on motorbikes in view of air pollution.
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that winds from the Indian capital Delhi, other cities including Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, and Patiala are heading towards Lahore, while Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar are also being affected by air pollution coming from India.
She said that instructions have been given to cover construction sites, vehicles bringing goods, while the use of masks is mandatory for those traveling on motorbikes.
In addition, it has also been instructed to keep the windows of the vehicles up and also close the doors and windows of the houses.
The senior minister said that a slight improvement in the air is expected between 1 pm and 5 pm, while the sky will remain clear, but light fog in the afternoon.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said that water spraying and anti-smog guns are being used in Lahore and other cities, and the role of every citizen in preventing and reducing smog is the reason for a big change and success.
“Through this modern machine, tiny droplets of water are sprayed into the air to combat smog,” she explained.
“The water mist helps clean pollution and dust particles present in the atmosphere. This modern machinery is also being used in countries like China, India, and others to reduce smog.”
