LAHORE: Air pollution continues to choke Lahore and other parts of Punjab, with Faisalabad emerging as the most polluted city on Sunday, according to an environmental monitoring website.
The report showed Faisalabad recording an alarming 528 AQI reading for hazardous particulate matter, the worst in the province. Multan followed with 432, Lahore 358, Gujranwala 357, and Bahawalpur 212.
With the onset of winter, Punjab once again faces a thick blanket of smog, as authorities struggle to contain the worsening air quality. Last year, air pollution in major cities reached dangerous levels, triggering serious health concerns among residents.
In Lahore, the smog, a blend of fog, smoke, and vehicle emissions, has been intensified by low-grade diesel, industrial fumes, and the burning of seasonal crops.
At one point, Lahore’s pollution levels exceeded the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe air standards by more than 80 times.
In response, the government had previously ordered school closures and limited business hours for restaurants and markets to protect citizens from the harmful effects of toxic air.