Lahore, (Newsman): Health authorities in Pakistan have reported that air pollution has severely affected most parts of Punjab, the country’s most populous province, sickening more than 1.9 million people in the past month.
According to a report by the Punjab Health Department, a total of 1,934,030 people visited hospitals and private clinics for respiratory illnesses in smog-hit districts across the province in October.
Punjab, home to around 127 million people, has been grappling with severe smog since last month.
The report highlighted that citizens are suffering from respiratory issues, asthma, heart diseases, and strokes due to the thick smog. Of the 1.9 million affected, 119,533 patients were diagnosed with asthma, while 13,773 were suffering from heart diseases.
Additionally, the report revealed that 5,184 patients had been diagnosed with paralysis.
Also Read: Smog Crisis Engulfs Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, and Multan Face Hazardous Air Quality
Earlier today, the Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the Punjab government to develop a 10-year policy aimed at eliminating smog.
Meanwhile, in a press conference, Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that a complete lockdown would be imposed in Lahore and Multan from Friday to Sunday due to the worsening smog.
Also Read: Punjab Govt Declares Health Emergency as Smog Crisis Hits Lahore and Multan
She further stated that the lockdown could be brought forward if necessary, with a formal notification to be issued soon.
Aurangzeb also said that all construction activities in Lahore and Multan divisions would be banned, and restaurants in both cities would close by 4 p.m. Universities and colleges across Lahore and Punjab will transition to online classes during this period.