Lahore: The Markazi Kisan League (MKL) has expressed serious concern over the rising smog and hazardous air pollution in Lahore, stating that the city’s position as the second most polluted city in the world reflects the failure and negligence of government authorities.
In a joint statement, Chairman Choudhary Zulfiqar Ali Olahk and President Muhammad Ashfaq Virk said that the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 561, with certain areas exceeding 900, poses a severe threat to both public health and agricultural production.
They criticized the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) for conducting street cleaning without water spraying, describing it as irresponsible and a major contributor to the intensifying smog. The officials noted that toxic particles in the smog block sunlight, adversely affecting crop growth and soil fertility.
The Kisan League emphasized that temporary measures such as water guns and foggers are only short-term solutions, wasteful, and insufficient for long-term results. They called on the government to take immediate action against those responsible at LWMC, activate smog control units, expand tree-planting initiatives, and relocate industrial units outside the city.
The League also urged citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, wear masks, and actively participate in environmental conservation efforts.
