Islamabad, (Newsman): Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has warned that smog poses a significant threat to public health, estimating that it could lead to 250,000 premature deaths.
The situation is particularly alarming in Punjab’s major cities, Lahore and Multan, which have been among the most polluted places in the world in recent days.
As of 9 pm today, the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore and Multan was recorded at 788 and 698, respectively—levels that are extremely hazardous to health.
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Speaking at a meeting in Islamabad to address the growing issue of smog and air pollution, Iqbal emphasized that this crisis is largely of our own making and urgent, large-scale action is needed to tackle it.
He stressed that the consequences of smog are not just health-related but also economic, describing the situation as an “economic emergency.”
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Iqbal expressed particular concern over the impact on children’s health and warned that the air pollution could lead to thousands of premature deaths if left unaddressed.
According to the latest air quality index, Lahore continues to top the list of most polluted cities in Pakistan, with Peshawar and Islamabad following closely behind.