Lahore has again been declared the most polluted city of the world as its air quality index has reached 343 level, while New Delhi has been confirmed as the fourth dirtiest city with its AQ level touching 304, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

Karachi has downgraded the air quality index and reached at number 10 with AQ level of 159.

According to the environment department, the best air quality index must be around 0 to 50. If the AQ level is from 50 to 100, it’s moderate and if it’s from 100 to 150, it is unhealthy for the sensitive people; from 150 to 200 it is detrimental to health; from 200 to 300 it is extremely detrimental to health and if the AQ level is from 300 to 500, it is dangerous. 

Today, the Lahore Airport was engulfed in smog and the visibility was 1,200 meters. Due to poor visibility, the pilots had to face difficulty in landing and taking off. The national and international airlines have already been informed about the low visibility at the airport.

In Karachi, the visibility has been reduced to 2 kilometers.

On the direction of Punjab IG Sardar Ali Khan, the administration is taking action against those who are indulged in smog-spreading activities in the province. From Nov 1 till to date 1,992 cases have been registered and 2,141 people have been arrested for setting their crops, tyres and lubricants alight. 

Renowned journalist and columnist Hamid Mir in his tweet on Saturday said: “Lahore is blanketed in smog and people in the Heart of Pakistan are dying from air pollution while a minister in Punjab is saying that there is no smog in Lahore. Lahore has been left at the mercy of the ruthless people. The higher judiciary must act to rid the city of the poisonous pollution.”

https://twitter.com/HamidMirPAK/status/1459465908636684291

Famous journalist and author Nasim Zehra posted a tweet on Saturday saying: “Lahore with its worst air quality has become the world’s most smog-polluted city…authentic figures report the fatal risks attached to this. While government sleeps, takes no action to roll back the smog, please made to Hon #CJP & #SCjudges to take notice. #SmogLahore.”

https://twitter.com/NasimZehra/status/1459491197836152832

TV anchor Asma Sherazi tweeted on Saturday: “Lahore is confronted with the worst kind of air pollution. The higher judiciary is humbly pleaded to save Lahore from smog.” 

https://twitter.com/asmashirazi/status/1459540765512585222

 

Reporters Saeed Ahmad, Rabia Khan, Abid Chaudhry