Pakistan’s Lahore becomes world’s third most polluted city

Lahore on Tuesday became the world’s third most polluted city as increasing smog has engulfed Pakistan’s cultural capital, an air quality monitoring company said.

The bad air has sickened hundreds with respiratory and other illnesses.

Lahore ranked third behind Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, and Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar on the pollution index, according to Switzerland-based air quality information platform IQAir.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

Increasing air pollution and smog have forced authorities to order a partial closure of schools in Lahore, once known as the city of gardens. Authorities said they closed some factories and some were fined for not using technology that helps in controlling pollution.

Doctors are advising people to wear face masks to avoid respiratory related diseases.

Rafeh Alam, a environmental expert who has been campaigning to create awareness among people about the dangers of increasing pollution, said many people, including women and children, have been exposed to toxic air, which causes several diseases. He urged the government to take measures to reduce air pollution.

Adding to vehicle and industry pollution is the popular practice among poor Pakistani farmers of setting fire to remnants of the previous season’s crop before preparing land for the next planting. Winds worsen the pollution by further spreading smog across the region.

Read more:

G20 leaders final statement offers few concrete commitments on climate

Caught in mutual haze, Pakistan seeks India’s cooperation to tackle pollution

Jakarta residents sue Indonesia government over air pollution