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CRITICAL AIR POLLUTION PROMPTS PRIMARY SCHOOLS CLOSURE FOR A WEEK Monday, 4 November, 2024 I | 1 Jamadi ul Awwal, 1446
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AQI exceeds 1,000 level for second consecutive day — well above level of 300 considered ‘dangerous’
Maryam Aurangzeb emphasizes need for prioritizing health and safety of students
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Decision made by DG EPD and further instructions will be issued on Nov 9: Notification
Lack of real-time air quality monitoring system hindering remedial efforts LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
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LAHORE SALEEM JADOON
HE Punjab government on Sunday announced a weeklong closure of all primary schools (up to fifth grade) in Lahore to avoid children exposure to air pollution several times above levels deemed dangerous amid worsening smog crisis. “The decision made in response to the deteriorating air quality and worsening smog conditions across Punjab, particular in Lahore”, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb the announced on Sunday, emphasizing the need for prioritize the health and safety of students amid the ongoing environmental crisis. For days, Lahore has been blanketed in smog, a mix of fog and pollutants caused by low-grade diesel fumes,
smoke from seasonal agricultural burning, and winter cooling. The air quality index, which measures a range of pollutants, exceeded 1,000 on Saturday — well above the level of 300 considered “dangerous” — according to data from IQAir. The Punjab government also recorded peaks of over 1,000 on Sunday, considering as “unprecedented”. The decision comes as Lahore continues to gasp in severe air pollution levels, which have assumed alarming proportions, significantly affecting the health of residents, especially children. Reports indicate that Lahore has consistently ranked among the most polluted cities globally, prompting urgent action from authorities. Maryam Aurangzeb urged parents and caregivers to ensure children remain indoors as much as possible during this
The environmental protection authorities efforts to reduce air pollution in the provincial metropolis have been hindered by inadequate infrastructure for real-time air quality monitoring in Lahore. The air pollution has reached unprecedented levels in Lahore this season and on Saturday and Sunday, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 1,800, placing Lahore as the world’s most polluted city. According to the Environment Protection Department (EPD), only three official air quality monitors are operational in the city, while private air quality data often shows inconsistencies. The EPD’s current AQI data comes from just three monitors: one owned by the US Consulate, another by Punjab University, and a third at Town Hall,
period and to take necessary precautions, such as wearing masks when outside. “The government is working closely with the Environmental Protection Department to monitor the situation and implement measures to combat the smog”, the minister vowed. World’s most polluted city for second successive day
PM encourages UK investors to explore Pakistan’s potential for ‘fruitful ventures’ LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday emphasized that his government is committed to providing business environment and investment climate to foreign investment. “It is the government’s top-most priority to attract foreign investment”, the Prime Minister said while meeting with a delegation of prominent UK business figures, led by Zuber Issa, in Lahore on Sunday. During the meeting, the PM highlighted the government’s efforts to provide optimal facilities to the business community through the Special
Investment Facilitation Council’s (SIFC) one-window operation. He noted that the country’s economy has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, a trend he attributed to government initiatives that have bolstered investor confidence. PM Shehnaz encouraged the delegation to invest in Pakistan, underscoring the potential for fruitful ventures within the country. The discussion also covered new avenues for cooperation and enhancing business-to-business relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The visiting delegation expressed their approval of the PM’s economic policies, voicing confi-
dence in the stability and sustainable development of Pakistan’s economy. PM commends successful operation in Musakhel Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has praised the Frontier Constabulary (FC), the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and police officers for their successful operation against terrorists belonging to banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). An official statement issued here on Sunday said the PM lauded the forces for their achievement in eliminating three terrorists and apprehending two others, preventing what could have been a major act of terrorism in Balochistan.
Amid privatization setbacks, PIA remains inefficient as passengers’ luggage forgotten again g
Privatization failures intensify amid persistent operational issues and customer complaints PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is once again under fire for operational inefficiencies, as a recent incident highlighted its ongoing struggles amid a contentious privatization process. A flight arriving from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, touched down at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport
on Saturday, but approximately 37 passengers were left without their luggage, prompting protests and dissatisfaction among travelers. The incident underscores the airline’s persistent problems with luggage handling, a symptom of deeper systemic issues, including overstaffing and a demotivated workforce. Passengers voiced their frustrations, demanding immediate action from PIA management, who struggled to
provide satisfactory explanations for the oversight. While officials promised that the missing luggage would be delivered on the next available flight, this assurance did little to quell the anger of those affected. This latest setback is particularly troubling for PIA as it navigates the challenging waters of privatization, an initiative intended to revitalize the struggling airline.
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Pakistan struggles to launch international bonds amid economic challenges g
Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 118 I 44 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Financial experts warn of increased economic stress and ratings implications PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
Pakistan’s failure to issue Euro and Panda bonds could intensify economic pressures, hindering the country’s efforts to secure improved ratings from international credit agencies, financial experts caution. Sources within the financial sector indicate that the government’s inability to tap into the international bond market stems
from low ratings assigned by these agencies. Despite efforts to engage top rating firms during a recent meeting in Washington, favorable results remain elusive. Notably, two agencies have recently upgraded Pakistan’s rating: Fitch raised it to CCC+ on July 29, while Moody’s improved it to Caa2 on August 28. However, analysts believe these upgrades are insufficient to facilitate new bond launches.
“Despite our attempts and hiring firms to facilitate Panda bond issuance in China, we have yet to achieve this goal,” stated Atif Ahmed, a banker and currency market specialist. The Finance Minister met with China’s Vice Minister of Finance in Washington to discuss launching these bonds, aiming to diversify the financing base, but interest from Chinese investors appears low.
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the sole EPD-owned monitor. Further complicating the picture, EPD’s mobile AQI monitoring van is out of order, and data from the department’s in-office monitor is unavailable to the public. According the data, Lahore hosts a total of 17 AQI monitors, only three of which belong to government entities, with the remaining 14 operated by private institutions. Most of these private monitors are neither government-certified nor installed according to official protocols, often resulting in inaccurate data. Meanwhile, EPD Director-General Imran Hamid Sheikh admitted, stating that “EPD only has three air quality monitors in Lahore, with plans to install five more.” He added, “Most private monitors provide unreliable data, yet some foreign companies use this data on their websites.”
The capital of the Punjab province, Lahore, remained the most polluted city of the world for the second successive day on Sunday. The average air quality index (AQI) in the city was recorded at 650 early morning as stubble burning across the border continued and smoke entered Pakistan as a result of which breathing became difficult and smog reduced visibility.
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Three BLA affiliated terrorists killed in Musakhel IBO: CTD
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
The Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Sunday claimed to have killed three terrorists and arrested two others in an operation conducted in Musakhel district. According to a CTD spokesperson, the operation was conducted in the early hours of Sunday, following a tip-off about the presence of the terrorists. The spokesperson said that the CTD and law enforcement agencies received “credible information” about terrorists belonging to the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) active in the Rarhasham area of Musakhel. “Forces, including CTD, FC and police were deployed in general area and late at night one of the deployed force contingent came across a group of 10-12 terrorists, moving towards main road,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “The terrorists were intercepted and heavy exchange of fire followed.” During the gun battle, three terrorists were killed and two others were apprehended, according to the spokesperson. However, “five to seven of them managed to flee because of night conditions”, he said, adding that a search for them was underway. The spokesperson added that weapons and ammunition were seized from the terrorists during the operation, while the bodies were shifted to a hospital and the arrested terrorists were being interrogated. “The FIR (first information report) has been registered with CTD and further investigation has been launched,” said the spokesperson. Yesterday, the Balochistan CTD registered an FIR against unidentified terrorists for the improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Mastung on Friday.