Smog shows no sign of abating in Punjab, particularly in Lahore and its surrounding areas, as the air quality index (AQI) of 349 again placed the provincial capital on top of the world’s most polluted cities on Sunday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Same is the situation, although far less worse, in other cities of Punjab, especially in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi and Multan.   

Smog, a phenomenon that has gained intensity only in the last few years, and which results when pollutants get stuck in the air, normally recedes and gives way to fog in the plains of Punjab in the last half of November and the first half of December.

However, this time around opposite is the case as we are into mid-December and still there is no improvement in the air quality. 

Although burning of crops’ stubble, smoke emitting from vehicles, factories’ chimneys and brick kilns contribute to its development, prolonged drought makes the period lengthier. And the same has happened this year as it has been around two months that Lahore and its outskirts received rain.

And despite government claims that it is taking measures to control it, there is little improvement. Truth of the matter is that the situation has only gone bad from bad to worse as the provincial capital is topping the list of the world’s most polluted cities for the last one month now.

Meanwhile, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) CEO Rafia Haider inspected the process of mechanical sweeping, washing and scrapping in different parts of Gulberg on Saturday night. 

She visited Liberty Market roundabout, MM Alam Road, Main Boulevard, Noor Jahan Road and Jail Road for the purpose.       

Over 50 workers have been assigned the duties of scrapping and washing in Gulberg at night time. 

Talking to the media, CEO Rafia said 72 main roads of the city and markets were being washed every night. “In order to get rid of dust, special attention is paid on the washing and scrapping of roadsides,” she said, adding that commercial markets and main roads were being cleaned at night time. Reporters: Komal Aslam, Rao Dilshad Hussain