Extremely poor air quality persists in Punjab, particularly in the provincial capital, Lahore, which again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities on Friday with the air quality index (AQI) recorded at 296, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The AQI in Fatehgarh area of the provincial capital was recorded at 422 followed by 345 at Maratab Ali Road in Gulberg, 319 at Kot Lakhpat, 316 at Anarkali and Bahria Orchard, 312 at DHA Phase-8, 290 at Mall Road and 384 at Model Town.

Bahawalpur and Faisalabad did not lag far behind, while Karachi, the country’s commercial hub, stood at eighth position. 

The smog hanging over people’s heads is also taking toll on their health as they experience difficulty in breathing besides throat and eye infections.     

The Met Office has forecast cold and dry weather for most parts of the country, including Lahore, where breeze will blow at the speed of five kilometers per hour, while the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be recorded at 24 and 10.  

Meanwhile, experts have warned that environmental pollution may reduce life expectancy of people in Pakistan by four years, while the air quality in Lahore is so hazardous that anybody inhaling smog in the city risks reduction in his life expectancy by five years.  

They say spending a whole day in the Punjab capital is akin to smoking 10 cigarettes in a day.

Reporters Maida Waheed and Faran Yameen