Lahore: Pakistan Government has put a forced lockdown in certain areas of Punjab province for 10 days in a bid to combat the hazardous smog conditions as AQI crossed 2,100. All amusement parks and museums will remain shut from November 8 to 17, reported local news agency.
The ban has been imposed in several districts including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujarat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Chiniot, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh. Meanwhile, authorities has also put smog-related restrictions in Lodhran, Vehari, and Khanewal districts.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s air pollution reached an alarming level, with seven cities topping the list of the world’s most polluted cities, said reports. Pakistan’s meteorologists predicted worsening smog conditions due to low wind speeds of 11km/h around Lahore and 7km/h near Multan.
Multan’s air quality had an AQI score of 2,135, and that of Lahore was 676. Peshawar, Islamabad, Hariput, Rawalpindi and Karachi fell under the ‘hazardous air quality’ category.
