Every winter, cities in upper and central part of Pakistan wear a blanket of fog; which is primarily due to a particular climate zoning, but the problem is getting worse with each passing year. The pollutants emitting from the surface adds to the fog and thickens it creating `smog`.

The problem has intensified during the past few decades due to rapid and sustained industrialisation and addition of thousands of vehicles. During December and January, smog slows down everything and on some occasions brings life to a standstill.

Punjab is a densely populated province and in terms of `human productivity loss`, one can calculate the negative impact on the financial health of the country if a large proportion of the population is rendered unproductive.

Lahore also falls amongst the worst smog affected cities in the world.

Here are some tips to safeguard your family and yourself from smog.

For people

  • Use surgical or other face masks

  • Remove contact lenses and use regular reading glasses

  • Do not smoke and if not possible reduce intake

  • Drink extra water and hot tea

  • Blow nose regularly to clean out contaminants

  • Wash hands, face and any exposed body part every time you come indoors after having gone outside

  • Avoid going out unnecessarily

Indoors

  • Seal vents, windows and other inlets of the house with masking tape or place moist towels or a cloth under doors and windows

  • Use air purifiers

Outdoors

  • Do NOT stop on the road even if you can’t see. Pull over to the side of the road away from traffic.

  • Slow down when driving

  • Use fog lights

  • Do NOT use high beams

  • Avoid going to crowded areas especially those prone to traffic jams

Opinion

Revamping the ecosystem

Revamping the ecosystem

Key to high-quality performance of public sector institutions lies in attracting, retaining and motivating civil servants of high calibre throughout the system.

Editorial

Rain havoc
Updated 19 Jul, 2025

Rain havoc

Thursday’s events must be seen not as an isolated disaster, but as a warning of what lies ahead.
Shattered Strip
19 Jul, 2025

Shattered Strip

THE Gaza siege has now crossed 650 days and the situation continues to take one ugly turn after another. True, even...
Battling drugs
19 Jul, 2025

Battling drugs

PAKISTAN’s war on drug trafficking has been ongoing for several years. But the country remains awash in the ...
Soaring again
Updated 18 Jul, 2025

Soaring again

The lifting of the ban by the UK will lead to several welcome developments.
Terror in Kalat
18 Jul, 2025

Terror in Kalat

THE unrest in Balochistan is increasingly taking on an ugly and dangerous colour, with repeated, indiscriminate...
Economic exclusion
18 Jul, 2025

Economic exclusion

FOR all the progress made in Pakistan towards the inclusion of women across the sociopolitical divide, comprehensive...