Karachi: The smog crisis in Pakistan ’s Punjab continues to spiral out of control, with Multan’s air quality reaching an alarming level. On Friday, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) over 2,000, according to local news daily Dawn, turning the area into what residents describe as an ‘apocalyptic’ scene. The Punjab government is now on high alert, enforcing strict measures to combat the pollution.
All parks and museums are closed until November 17 across the state as air quality plummets to dangerous levels in major cities. IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitor, reported that Multan hit an AQI of 2,135 between 8 AM and 9AM PM2.5 levels, the fine particles that pose the greatest health risks, surged to 947 micrograms per cubic meter — nearly 190 times above the World Health Organisation’s safety guidelines.
Throughout Friday night, the AQI remained hazardous, with readings at multiple locations in Multan exceeding 1,500. Nearby districts such as Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, and Khanewal also faced heavy smog, leading to low visibility on roads.
In response, Multan’s Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu imposed a ‘smart lockdown,’ ordering markets to close by 8 PM. and instructing traffic police to crack down on smoke-emitting vehicles. The city is also taking action against stubble burning and unauthorised brick kilns.
Hospitals are now setting up special ‘smog counters’ in their emergency wards, though residents report that many people remain unaware of these resources. Despite warnings, citizens complain of worsening throat infections, and many children are still seen playing outdoors, exposing themselves to the toxic air.
Lahore, too, faces severe pollution, with AQI levels above 1,000, making it the world’s most polluted city at midnight on Friday. The government has imposed a complete ban on public access to parks, zoos, playgrounds, and museums across cities like Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Faisalabad. Violators will face penalties under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
To curb the smog, officials have closed 18 districts’ schools and imposed fines on offenders. The state’s environmental authorities report that emissions from factories, vehicles, and stubble burning, combined with recent wind conditions, are causing the air quality to deteriorate rapidly.
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has announced additional measures, including covering all cargo trucks with tarps, advising children to stay indoors, and shutting down food outlets for breaking environmental rules.
Road closures are now in effect across the region, as authorities work to tackle what is fast becoming a public health emergency. The situation remains critical, with residents concerned about the lack of immediate relief from the thick, choking smog enveloping their cities.
(With Inputs from ANI)
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