ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s second largest city of Lahore once again ranked on Monday as the world’s most polluted city, despite efforts by the government to reduce toxic smog in the metropolis.
Lahore held the top spot on a real-time list of the world’s most polluted cities with an air quality index (AQI) of 353 at around 2pm, according to Swiss group IQAir.
The AQI is a standardized tool measuring air pollutants like particulate matter and ozone, serving as a crucial barometer for public health. An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’, particularly for sensitive groups while an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be ‘very unhealthy’ and above 300 is ‘hazardous’.
Heavy smog last week forced authorities in Pakistan’s most populous province to announce new schedules for schools and markets, but residents complained on Monday the government’s efforts were not bearing any fruit.
“The smog occurs every year because the stubble is burnt, the brick kilns emit smoke. They (government officials) know it. They should plan accordingly. They do nothing but take salaries,” said Ali Mohammad, a shopkeeper in Lahore.
“When this weather sets in, and this comes every year, they should act to stop it (smog) from the root cause. Nothing will happen from stopping transport and closing down shops.”
Mohammad Jameel, another resident, said the lockdowns were not a solution to smog and they would only impact the poor.
“If they want to close down, they should close down everything with a complete lockdown,” he said. “Where will the poor go? It does not make a difference for rich as their industries are running.”
The Punjab government has attributed the smog to crop residue being burnt in the neighboring India and said it was considering cloud-seeding to make it rain artificially to disperse smog and haze.
