Copyright dailytimes
Lahore has come under severe air pollution, ranking first among the most polluted cities in the world on Sunday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 339. Pollution levels were especially high at several key locations: CERP Office 623, Civil Secretariat 610, Iqbal Town 607, Sanda Road 486, Barki Road 478, Syed Murtabat Ali Road 471, Paragon 455, and around GC University 447. The Meteorological Department reported that the maximum temperature in the city is expected to reach 30°C, with no rain forecast over the next 24 hours. Winds are blowing at 3 km/h, and humidity is recorded at 85 percent. Due to climate change and rising air pollution, cases of respiratory and skin diseases are increasing at an alarming rate. Renowned medical expert Prof. Dr. Javed Akram stated that Lahore has become one of the world’s most polluted cities, severely affecting public health. Prof Akram said that elderly people and children are most vulnerable, while pollution can be fatal for those already ill. He advised citizens to wear masks outdoors, drink plenty of water, and recommended that elderly and sick individuals get vaccinated against pneumonia to reduce the effects of seasonal diseases. Seeing the increasing problem of smog in Punjab, the provincial government has made an important decision regarding educational institutions. The timings of all government and private schools in Punjab have been changed. All educational institutions in Punjab will open at 8:45 am from Monday. No institution will open before 8:45 am. To protect children from the harmful effects of smog in the early morning, a notification has been issued to change the working hours of colleges and schools. The new order will be applicable to all government and private schools in Lahore and across Punjab. The decision will come into effect from November 3, 2025 (Monday) and will remain effective until January 31, 2026. Director General EPA Dr. Imran Hameed Sheikh issued the order. Violators will be fined between Rs1 lac to Rs1 million. The EPA has said that the traffic used to transport school-going children to schools and colleges in the morning is a major cause of the increase in smog. The air quality index in Lahore is reaching extremely hazardous levels, ranging from 301 to 400. The new school timings are likely to reduce traffic pressure and reduce air pollution. The weather in Lahore remained dry on Sunday, and similar conditions are likely to continue on Monday. The Met officials said that continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country, while a westerly wave was expected to affect the northwestern regions from tomorrow night. They predicted dry weather across most areas, with cold conditions in hilly regions during the morning and night hours. The officials further warned that districts of Punjab, including Lahore, were likely to remain under the influence of smog due to persistent dry weather and atmospheric pollution. The public was advised to take precautionary measures. Thick layers of smog will continue to blanket major cities of Punjab on Monday, reducing visibility and raising health concerns as the dry spell stretches across most parts of the country. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that the prevailing dry weather and stagnant atmospheric conditions are likely to worsen air quality in the plains, urging the public to adopt safety precautions. According to the Met Office, dry weather is expected over most regions, while cold conditions will prevail in hilly areas during the morning and night hours. The districts across Punjab remain under the strong influence of smog due to persistent dryness and rising pollution levels. The citizens have been advised to wear masks, limit outdoor activities, and drive cautiously in low-visibility areas. In Islamabad, the weather will remain dry with slightly cold conditions in the morning and night. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, dry weather is expected in most districts, while hilly areas including Chitral, Dir, Bajaur, and Kurram may experience partly cloudy skies with light rain during the night. In Punjab, dry weather will prevail across most districts including Murree and Galiyat. However, smog and shallow fog are likely to continue in Lahore, Gujranwala, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Okara, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan, and surrounding areas. Sindh is likely to remain hot and dry, whereas Balochistan will see dry conditions across most regions with cold mornings and nights, particularly in the northern parts. In Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the weather is expected to stay cold and dry, with partly cloudy skies likely in Gilgit-Baltistan during the night hours. During the past 24 hours, dry weather prevailed in most parts of the country, while smog remained persistent across Punjab. The lowest recorded temperatures were Leh at -3C, Skardu at -1C, and Ziarat at 0C.
