KARACHI:Air pollution has spiked across all four provincial capitals, triggering alarm over rising health risks and environmental hazards.
According to the global environmental monitoring website, Lahore topped the list of the most polluted cities in the world with a particulate matter (PM) level of 253. Quetta followed with 248, while Peshawar and Karachi recorded PM levels of 243 and 236 respectively.
Dense smog continues to blanket parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, severely affecting visibility. Due to poor conditions, Motorway M-1 has been closed from Peshawar to Burhan, and M-5 remains shut from Zahir Pir to Sher Shah.
Meanwhile, most parts of the country are expected to remain cold and dry today, while upper hilly regions may experience very cold conditions during morning and night hours.
Smog is likely to prevail in plain areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with chances of fog at a few locations during late night and early morning.
Cold and dry weather is also forecast for Islamabad and surrounding areas.