Last update:Nov 07, 2024, 19:19 IST

Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained at the top of the global rankings with levels rising well above 800 on Thursday morning, making the air seriously hazardous for residents.

According to Swiss air quality monitor IQAir, Lahore is among the cities with the highest AQI in the world. (AFP file photo)

A three-year-old girl has filed a petition against the local government in Punjab, Pakistan, as the province, especially its capital Lahore, continues to reel under the severe impact of smog, keeping air quality in an extremely dangerous zone.

On Thursday morning, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained at the top of the global rankings with levels well above the 800 mark, making the air seriously hazardous for residents.

According to Swiss air quality monitor IQAir, Lahore is among the cities with the highest AQI in the world. The levels have even surpassed the 1000 mark on many occasions.

The prolonged and prolonged bad weather has made it impossible for citizens to venture out of their homes. Hospitals are also filling up with people suffering from respiratory problems. Poor air quality has left thousands of the province’s citizens vulnerable to respiratory illnesses and the provincial government and doctors are advising everyone to wear masks whenever they venture out of their homes.

The provincial government has imposed a province-wide smog emergency and closed all educational institutions up to higher secondary level in Lahore and other districts until November 17.

Meanwhile, a three-year-old girl approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday and filed a case against the provincial government for its failure to control air pollution.

The petitioner, Amal Sekhera, through her lawyer, argued in the petition that young children and the elderly are severely affected by air pollution and sought justice for herself, her friends and future generations.

“Under Article 99-A of the Constitution, the government is obligated to provide citizens with a clean and healthy environment,” the petition states.

The petition criticized the Punjab government for failing to protect fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.

Punjab government provincial minister Maryam Aurangzeb has said that the intensity of the smog is expected to continue for at least 10 more days, so educational institutions have been closed and people have been advised to wear masks.

Many other cities like Multan and Gujranwala are also severely affected by the current weather conditions.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed. IANOS)

Location :

Lahore, Pakistan