Lahore, November 10, 2024-To combat severe smog across Punjab, Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh, Director General of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, has ordered the installation of air purifiers in all districts. This urgent directive follows dangerously high pollution levels in major cities like Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala.
A notification mandates air purifiers in shopping malls and commercial plazas, with owners urged to prioritize clean air for public safety. On Sunday, dense smog enveloped Lahore, reducing visibility to a few meters in some areas and contributing to traffic-related accidents, claiming seven lives.
The worsening smog has also led to closures on key motorway sections. Motorway Police spokesperson Syed Imran Ahmed reported closures on M2 (Lahore to Kot Momin), M4 (Pindi Bhattian to Abdul Hakeem), and M5 (Multan to Sukkur). Travelers are advised to limit journeys to between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for safer visibility conditions.
