LAHORE: The provincial metropolis on Monday briefly topped among the most polluted cities in the world with a considerable improvement in its air quality during the day.

The Punjab government had closed all primary schools of Lahore due to the smog till Nov 9 and some private organisations started work from home policy for its 50 per cent staff on alternate days. The government had already imposed a “green lockdown” in designated smog hot spots across Lahore and also declared smog a “calamity” in the province.

Despite poor air quality, business in the city was observed as usual with no decrease in traffic and no adherence to the SOPs by the citizens.

The city’s maximum Air Quality Index (AQI) was reported 1,173 on Sunday.

The citizens were seen complaining about hazardous air quality on social media and also criticising the government for not taking any measures to address the issue.

Many X (formerly Twitter) users highlighted the adverse impact of the smog on their health, with one very eloquently stating that the people of Lahore were “so cooked”. (For those who aren’t chronically online, this means they’re doomed). “Sore throat, burning eyes and stifling air — Lahore’s air quality has plummeted to some of the worst levels globally. The thick, smoky haze hangs over the city, making it feel increasingly unlivable.”

Activist Ammar Ali Jan called the situation an “ecological apocalypse”, adding that cities in Pakistan only worked for “land mafias, car/oil companies and corrupt bureaucrats”. “Only those who can afford air-purifiers can survive. Privatisation of clean air! Absolutely criminal and insane,” he wrote.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said New Delhi’s AQI has reached 393, while Lahore’s AQI is at 280 due to changing wind patterns. Wind speeds are ranging between 2 and 5.5 kilometers per hour, moving from south to east, which is creating challenges in reducing pollution levels.

She said the city of Kolkata in India ranks third with a score of 189, Dubai fourth at 177, Cairo ranks fifth, and Dhaka stands at sixth.

She also highlighted that on Nov 4, Lahore’s AQI had spiked to 1,173 due to wind speeds reaching almost 800 kilometers per hour.

She appealed to the public to cope up with seasonal conditions and refrain from undertaking actions that increase pollution levels. She also urged the media and social commentators to play their active part in raising awareness and shaping public opinion on this matter.

Provincial minister Azma Bokhari said tackling smog is not easy and China has been fighting it for 26 years.

She said smog has become one of the biggest issues currently while adding that when wind from India blows towards Pakistan, Lahore’s air becomes more polluted. We are aware that efforts are also being made on the Indian Punjab side.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2024