Smart lockdown lifted: Lahories return to normal life

LAHORE: Life returned to normal on Saturday after the lifting of  smart lockdown today in the Punjab provincial capital Lahore.

After yesterday’s rain in Lahore and improved AQI of the city the Punjab government has lifted the smart lockdown today as the smog situation improved.

“After assessing improved air quality post recent rainfall, in consultation with experts and [the] Punjab environment department, we’ve decided to lift the lockdown,” Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on X.

Punjab govt revises lockdown imposed in smog-hit districts

The temperature of the city is currently being recorded at 15 degrees Celsius, while the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city is currently 163.

The air pollution ratio has been recorded 201 in Gulberg, 171 around Zaman Park, 166 around Mall Road, 179 on Upper Mall Canal Road and 163 around Shimla Pahari.

After the two days holiday, the shops and markets are functioning as per routine while the restaurants can also continue operations after 6pm.

Earlier in the week, an environmental and health emergency had been declared in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad divisions for four days due to the prevailing smog conditions.