Explorer

Pakistan: Public Places 'Completely Shut' In Punjab As AQI Shoots Above 2,000

In Pakistan's Punjab province, toxic air pollution has led to closure of parks, zoos, and schools in 18 districts as Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 2,000.

Public places like parks and zoos have been completely shut in Pakistan's Punjab province as many cities remained shrouded in a thick layer of toxic air with an Air Quality Index over 2,000. 

Multan, the largest city in south Punjab recorded an AQI of 2,135 between 8 am and 9 am on Saturday, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitor, reported Dawn News. 

The concentration of Particulate Matter 2.5 was 947 micrograms, 189.4 times above the WHO guideline. The situation of pollution remained the same as in Multan in the surrounding districts of Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, and Khanewal with smog dropping visibility levels. 

A 'smart lockdown' has been imposed by Multan Deputy Commissioner Hamid Sindhu on Friday under which markets have been directed to close till 8 pm and traffic police have been instructed to take strict action against smoke-emitting vehicles. 

ALSO READ | Pakistan: More Than Dozen Dead In Explosion Near Quetta Railway Station In Balochistan

A "complete ban" has been imposed on entry of people in parks, zoos, playgrounds, monuments, museums and play lands in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Baha­uddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari and Khanewal.

Schools in 18 districts have also been shut due to the worsening air quality in the province. 

However, the rules were being flouted as children played in the grounds and streets with the closure of schools, a Multan resident told Dawn.

Meanwhile, the officials have been blaming India and attributed the "unprecedented" situation this year to wind patterns. 

A cross-border wind phenomenon was creating heavy smog in the south Punjab cities including Bahawalpur, Multan and Rajanpur, Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EPCCD) Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar told Dawn News. 

Anwar said the "wind pool" entered southern Punjab from cities like Bikaner and Jaipur. 

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
Fri Feb 21, 12:06 am
connaught place
14.1°
Precipitation: 0 mm    Humidity: 85%   Wind: E 9.4 km/h
See Today's Weather
Powered By:
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Budget 2025 LIVE Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Reaches FinMin, To Table FY26 Budget Today
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Reaches FinMin, To Table FY26 Budget Today: LIVE
Short Edit: All Eyes On Maharashtra? Patterns Suggest The State May Receive More This Budget, Like Bihar And Andhra
Short Edit: All Eyes On Maharashtra? Patterns Suggest The State May Receive More This Budget, Like Bihar And Andhra
Budget 2025: Check Full Schedule As Nirmala Sitharaman Is Set To Present 8th Consecutive Union Budget
Budget 2025: Check Full Schedule As Nirmala Sitharaman Is Set To Present 8th Consecutive Union Budget
Plane Crashes Near Shopping Mall Seconds After Take Off In US, Second Case In 3 Days: VIDEO
Plane Crashes Near Shopping Mall Seconds After Take Off In US, Second Case In 3 Days: VIDEO
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

India's Budget 2025: Rural Focus, Tax Relief, and Key Infrastructure Announced | ABP NEWSIndia's Budget 2025: Nirmala Sitharaman Leaves Residence Ahead of Budget 2025 Announcement |ABP NEWSIndia's Budget 2025: Major Reforms in Tax, Pensions, and Infrastructure to Drive Economic GrowthIndia's Budget 2025: Focus on Middle Class, Infrastructure, and Economic Growth | ABP NEWS

Photo Gallery

Embed widget