On Monday, residents in Lahore, Pakistan, expressed their concerns about the detrimental impact of the pervasive smog enveloping the city, urging the government to impose restrictions on vehicles emitting smoke on the roads.

The alarming environmental situation gained international attention when Lahore was recently ranked as the world's second most polluted city, according to a compilation by the Swiss group IQAir. The air quality index (AQI) for Lahore was reported at 335, with India's New Delhi claiming the top spot with an AQI of 640.

To put this in perspective, an AQI reading of 0-50 is considered good, while a value exceeding 100 is deemed unhealthy for individuals with respiratory issues. A range of 301-500 is categorized as "hazardous."

The Meteorological Department revealed that Lahore's AQI approached 400 at various locations on Monday. Mohammad Salahuddin, a private security guard, expressed the widespread health impact, noting, "The weather is such that everyone has a bad throat and bad eyes, and everyone's health is getting affected." He attributed this concerning trend to climate change, emphasizing that it has intensified over the past 5-7 years.

Ehsan Khan, another resident, called on the government to take decisive action by banning vehicles emitting smoke from the roads. He urged the environmental department to address the issue promptly, as people are suffering from respiratory ailments such as tuberculosis, coughs, and colds, in addition to eye problems, due to the prevailing conditions.

In response to the escalating crisis, Mohsin Naqvi, the interim chief minister of Punjab, where Lahore is situated, has implemented measures to address the situation. These include making it mandatory for all students to wear masks to school. Furthermore, the police have been tasked with apprehending vehicles emitting smoke, and efforts are underway to curb the burning of rice stubble, a common practice after harvest, which contributes to air pollution as fields are cleared for wheat planting. The situation underscores the urgency for collaborative efforts to combat the environmental challenges and protect the well-being of Lahore's residents.