Lahore Imposes Outdoor Activity Ban as Air Quality Deteriorates

Photo : AP

Lahore and Islamabad are grappling with record-breaking pollution levels, prompting authorities to take urgent measures to combat the hazardous smog that has enveloped the cities. In an effort to address the worsening air quality, Lahore’s district administration has imposed a ban on outdoor activities from November 11 to 17. This includes the suspension of sports, exhibitions, events, and outdoor dining at restaurants. However, religious gatherings have been exempted from the ban. Additionally, shops, markets, and malls must close by 8 pm, although essential services like medical stores, laboratories, petrol pumps, and grocery stores will remain open.

Large department stores are allowed to keep their grocery and medical sections open during this period, but other sections of the stores will be shut. The authorities hope these restrictions will help curb the pollution levels in the city, which has become one of the most polluted in the world.

According to the Swiss air quality monitoring group IQAir, Lahore recently ranked as the most polluted city globally, with an air quality index (AQI) of 1,165, more than 120 times higher than the levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). On Sunday, the pollution levels in Lahore’s outskirts reached an alarming AQI score of 1,900, the highest on record.

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In a parallel move, Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, has also implemented strict measures to tackle the rising pollution. Authorities in Islamabad have imposed restrictions on the operation of brick kilns and smoke-emitting factories. The city’s deputy commissioner, Irfan Nawaz Memon, held meetings with key stakeholders, including assistant commissioners, the Islamabad Transport Authority, and the Excise Department, to discuss and plan comprehensive actions to reduce harmful emissions across the city. 

As a result of these discussions, smoke-emitting factories have been temporarily shut down, and brick kilns are to remain closed until further notice. Additionally, vehicles that emit excessive smoke are now prohibited from the roads within Islamabad Capital Territory. The burning of garbage, leaves, and other materials outdoors has been banned, and other environmentally damaging activities have also been restricted. To ensure compliance, the Islamabad Transport Authority is conducting regular inspections of vehicles and industries.

The severe pollution levels in Lahore and Islamabad have been attributed to a combination of factors. The Green Master Plan’s latest report has highlighted six major causes contributing to the worsening air quality in Lahore. Rapid urbanization has significantly reduced green spaces in the city, creating a "heat island" effect that leads to higher temperatures and worsens smog. The report also pointed out that industrial zones spanning over 33 square kilometers are located near residential areas, contributing heavily to air pollution. The report warned that if industries are not relocated to designated areas in the next decade, the environmental damage could become irreversible.

Lahore, the capital of Punjab province and the second-largest city in Pakistan, is home to around 13 million people and is a major commercial and industrial hub. Its proximity to the Indian border, just 25 km away, has also contributed to the city’s pollution problems. In addition to local sources of pollution, Lahore is also affected by toxic air drifting from northern India, which is grappling with its own severe pollution crisis. 

Air quality in Lahore and other cities in South Asia typically worsens during the winter months when cold air traps pollutants, such as vehicle emissions, dust, and smoke from burning crop residue. Poor-quality fuel used by vehicles, industrial activities, and construction are also contributing factors. As of the same day Lahore was ranked the most polluted city globally, New Delhi, India, ranked second on the list with an AQI of 299, further illustrating the widespread pollution problem in the region. 

Authorities in Lahore and Islamabad are intensifying efforts to mitigate the effects of the hazardous smog and reduce pollution levels, but experts warn that continued action will be necessary to address the underlying causes of air pollution in the region.

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