In response to the alarming surge in smog levels, the interim government of Sindh has intensified its measures to address the deteriorating air quality in Karachi. Following the lead of the Punjab caretaker government, the Sindh Chief Minister, Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar, has issued a statement urging citizens to wear face masks as a short-term solution to cope with the hazardous air conditions.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of immediate action and called upon schools and educational institutions to ensure that students wear face masks to protect themselves from health issues associated with smog. The official statement from the Chief Minister’s House highlighted the gravity of the situation, urging all stakeholders to shift focus from car-centric infrastructure and invest in public transport and pedestrian-friendly alternatives.

The announcement coincides with a concerning development on Monday, where the concentration of PM 2.5, a measure of tiny particulate matter in the air, reached 256 in Karachi, classified as “very unhealthy” by Swiss-based IQ Air. As of now, Karachi ranks as the third city with the worst air quality index globally, according to IQ Air’s assessments.

This initiative in Sindh comes amidst a broader nationwide struggle with severe smog and escalating pollution levels. In Punjab, particularly in Lahore, which consistently ranks as the world’s most polluted city, the Lahore High Court declared a citywide emergency earlier this month. The provincial government is contemplating artificial rain in Lahore, a project estimated to cost Rs350 million, as part of its efforts to combat the severe smog levels.

The severity of the situation prompted the closure of educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, in Punjab last week. Sources from the province’s Environmental Protection Agency revealed that various contributing factors to the rising air pollution include the operation of furnaces at night using sub-standard fuel and emissions from factories in different industrial estates.

Meanwhile, caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has outlined plans for the interim administration to subsidize electric bikes for 10,000 students and provide e-bikes on lease to government employees, aiming to reduce the use of regular motorcycles and curb air pollution.