Lahore has become the most polluted city in the world as air pollution worsened with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 194.

Air pollution was measured at 210 in Allama Iqbal Town, 207 on Barki Road, 187 in Model Town, 187 on Bedian Road and 186 in Defence.

This week, Lahore’s pollution levels have climbed, worldwide air quality monitors have reported. Lahore’s AQI was measured at about 19 times higher than the limits of World Health Organization.

Health experts have asked residents to keep their doors and windows shut during high pollution times and encouraged motorcyclists and outdoor workers to use masks.

Smog means smoke mixed with fog and numerous air pollutants including nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ozone and other dangerous particles and gases. It can get worse when pollutants mix with sunlight and stagnant air, particularly if there isn’t much wind.

Heavy traffic, industrial emissions and pollutants collecting near the ground can cause smog.

Health experts warn that breathing filthy air over long periods can irritate the eyes, induce coughing and throat and chest irritation, and exacerbate respiratory disorders. Heavy air pollution can also raise the chance of significant lung and cardiovascular issues.

Children, the elderly and persons with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly sensitive and excessive levels of smog can cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Security forces have killed 33 militants in different counterterrorism operations across Balochistan since September 21, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The latest actions included an increased tempo of operations under Operation Shaban and an intelligence led operation in Nushki. Weapons, ammunition and explosive material were also confiscated from militant hideouts during the operations, the ISPR reported.

Operation Shaaban

The military’s propaganda wing reported five more militants were killed in Operation Shaban, raising the total number of militants killed in the operation to 22.

The ISPR called the militants “Indian-sponsored Khwarij”. Security forces recovered firearms, ammo and explosives from their hideouts throughout the operation.

Clearance operations are still underway in the Operation Shaban area, ISPR said forces will continue the hunt till the threat has been entirely eradicated.

Operation Nushki

In another intelligence-based operation in Nushki, security personnel struck a militant hideout after receiving information about the presence of militants.

Heavy exchange of fire was reported between security personnel and insurgents during the operation, ISPR stated. “Eleven militants have been killed in the encounter,” he said.

Of the total 33 militants killed in Balochistan since September 21, 22 were killed in Operation Shaban while the remaining 11 were killed in the Nushki operation.

Operation Azm-e-Istehkam

Under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, the security forces and law enforcement agencies are continuing counter terrorist operations across Balochistan, ISPR said.

The military said the recent operations were part of continuous efforts to clear militant threats and protect regions where armed organisations have built hideouts.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has postponed its planned long march towards Islamabad from September 27 to October 4, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced on Friday.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the party’s political committee after discussions over the planned mobilisation and preparations by the federal government. Afridi said the march would now depart from Peshawar on October 4.

“Our long march [towards Islamabad] will depart from Peshawar on October 4,” Afridi said, adding that Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas had been informed of the political committee’s unanimous decision.

The development followed reports that PTI was considering postponing the September 27 protest. Party sources said members of the political committee had discussed concerns over possible clashes and the federal government’s preparations to restrict the movement of the march towards Islamabad.

According to reports from the party meeting, two alternative dates had initially been discussed, October 5 and October 10. The political committee subsequently agreed to defer the march, with Afridi later confirming October 4 as the new departure date.

Afridi had also held discussions with Achakzai regarding the proposed change. Earlier reports indicated that PTI leaders favoured postponement, while Achakzai had advised that the September 27 call should remain in place.

PTI’s provincial information secretary Shaukat Yousafzai had earlier rejected reports of a postponement, saying the party was prepared for the September 27 march. He had said any change could be considered if the federal government agreed to negotiations with PTI. The party had also maintained that the planned protest would remain peaceful.

PTI has been demanding the release of its incarcerated founder Imran Khan and what it describes as restoration of constitutional supremacy.

Security measures

The announcement also comes amid heightened security preparations around Islamabad and routes connecting the capital with other parts of the country. Major highways and motorways leading towards Islamabad have been closed or restricted, while the federal government has authorised the deployment of Rangers in the capital and several districts of Punjab ahead of political demonstrations.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has separately said consultations have taken place over the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the Constitution provided for such a measure and that discussions had been held on the issue.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has again reached out to opposition leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai with an offer for talks, according to sources. A letter reportedly sought a meeting between the two leaders and also discussed appointments to the Election Commission. TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai confirmed receipt of the letter.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, meanwhile, challenged PTI to proceed with its planned sit-in or long march in Islamabad. He also levelled allegations against the KP government and PTI over terrorism-related matters, claims rejected by the opposition party.