Lahore
The historical city of Pakistan is going through a big problem these days. Air pollution has reached its peak in Lahore. The Air Quality Index (AQI) here has recently reached 1900. Record levels of air pollution in Lahore have created a serious health crisis, leading to an increase in the number of patients in hospitals and private clinics. Doctors say that if people do not wear masks and do not follow administrative orders, a lockdown situation may arise in the entire city.
Principal of Allama Iqbal Medical College, Faisal Asghar Naqi described the pollution situation here as worrying. Meanwhile, a patient, Hasan Akhtar, told that he has flu and chest infection. They believe that the reason for this is the rapidly decreasing trees and plants and the smoke coming out of vehicles. Hasan said that to deal with pollution, the government needs to increase greenery, improve vehicles and bring technological changes. This is the condition of hospitals in Pakistan. Now we will know how this situation arose in Pakistan.
Lahore’s air quality index
The air quality index of Lahore is very bad for people’s health. On this, health experts say that due to this increasing pollution, the number of patients in hospitals has also increased, who are suffering from respiratory diseases. On this, the Punjab government has advised people to wear face masks, not to go out unnecessarily and children and elderly people to take special precautions.
green lockdown status
Schools in Lahore have been temporarily closed, and strict restrictions have also been imposed on vehicles and construction work. Apart from this, 50 percent employees of government offices have been allowed to work from home under ‘Green Lockdown’. The government has also said that strict action will be taken in areas which do not follow the “Green Lockdown”.
What are the experts saying?
According to experts, the reason for Lahore’s pollution level increasing so rapidly is the incidents of stubble burning in the surrounding areas. Punjab Information Minister Ajma Bukhari said on this that the winds coming from India are increasing the level of pollution in Lahore. He said that the air quality is being negatively affected due to the winds coming from the Indian cities of Amritsar and Chandigarh, and this situation is likely to persist for the coming few days.
Lahore administration is taking these steps
In view of the pollution situation, the Lahore administration has also considered a plan to make artificial rainfall so that the air quality can be improved. Also, the Chief Minister of Punjab has planned to meet with the Chief Minister of Punjab state of India to discuss this serious problem of pollution. Lahore was once considered a city of greenery and gardens, but due to rapid urbanization and decline in greenery, air pollution has become a serious problem here.
122 times more than WHO limit
1.4 crore people of the city have been affected by smog for several days. Swiss air quality monitor IQAir reported levels of deadly PM 2.5 pollutants reached 613.
This is 122.6 times more than the level considered bad for health by the World Health Organization.
Now the government came into action
Senior Punjab minister Maryam Aurangzeb during a press conference said the government has closed primary schools for a week and advised parents to ensure children wear masks as a thick blanket of smog blanketed the city. Has happened.
Aurangzeb said that to reduce pollution caused by vehicles, 50 percent of office employees will work from home.
Record of air pollution in Lahore so far
The government also issued an advisory urging people to stay indoors, keep doors and windows closed and avoid traveling unless necessary and leaving home.
blame on india
Minister Aurangzeb attributed the poor condition of air pollution to neighboring India. He said that the reason for this air pollution could be the winds coming from India.
He further said that this cannot be resolved without dialogue with India. The provincial government will initiate talks with its larger neighbor through Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.
