Smog Disrupts Transport as Cold, Foggy Conditions Grip Punjab

News Desk

Islamabad: Dense smog and cold weather continued to disrupt daily life across parts of Punjab and the federal capital on Wednesday, forcing the closure of key transport routes and prompting environmental authorities to take action over ecological concerns.

In southern Punjab, Motorway M-5 was closed to traffic from Multan to Zahirpir after heavy smog sharply reduced visibility during the early morning hours.

The thick blanket of smog, which settled over the region overnight, affected both Multan and Bahawalpur, creating hazardous driving conditions. 

The local Meteorological Office warned that smog is likely to persist for the next 48 hours, particularly from late night to early morning, and advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and exercise extreme caution.

Meanwhile in Lahore, cold and smoggy weather prevailed, with the Meteorological Office forecasting similar conditions over the next 24 hours. Officials said continental air was dominating most parts of the country, while a weak westerly wave over Kashmir was expected to move eastwards. 

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Cold and dry weather is likely to continue across much of Pakistan, with very cold conditions in hilly areas.

Fog is also expected to affect Punjab, upper Sindh and the plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, disrupting traffic and routine activities. Several motorways across the province remained partially closed during night and early morning hours due to poor visibility.

Separately, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has taken notice of reports of tree cutting in Islamabad and launched an investigation.

A Pak-EPA team visited Garden Avenue in the Shakarparian area following multiple complaints and collected information from officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) regarding the ongoing work.

Pak-EPA focal person Dr Zaigham said the agency is examining how many trees were approved for removal under the tender and how many have actually been felled by the contractor.

He added that details have also been sought from the CDA regarding the mitigation plan, including the type and number of trees being planted as replacements. Investigations into the matter are currently under way.

Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant amid the prevailing smoggy conditions and to follow official advisories to ensure safety.