The air quality index in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reached a dangerous level of 509. This alarming level of polluted air has placed Peshawar among the world’s most polluted cities. The smog-laden air that has been blanketing cities in the country’s Punjab province has now moved towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, engulfing Peshawar and surrounding districts.
Meanwhile, a recent report by Green Master Plan has highlighted the alarming rise of smog in Lahore. It stated that the city’s rapid development has transformed Lahore into a concrete jungle. This has exacerbated the smog problem in Lahore. The decrease in green spaces has led to an increase in temperatures, turning the city into a ‘heat island’.
The report reveals that 33 square kilometers of industrial areas are located near residential areas. This is a significant factor in Lahore’s smog problem. It warns that if the scattered industries are not relocated to designated industrial zones within the next decade, the situation could become even more severe.