LAHORE: Multan topped Pakistan`s most polluted cities for the second consecutive day on Saturday, with the air quality index (AQI) reaching 1,914 in the early hours.

In Lahore, the AQI remained consistently hazardous over the last 24 hours, peaking at 970, briefly ranking it the most polluted city in the world.

In Multan, AQI readings from monitors at WWF-Pakistan Office, Shamsabad Colony, and Multan Cantonment measured 1,826, 1,421, and 1,326, respectively, as of 10 p.m. As smog worsened across Punjab, the provincial government announced stringent restrictions, including a ten-day closure of public venues and the suspension of school activities.

Lahore`s historic sites, including the Lahore Fort, Shalimar Garden, and Jahangir`s Tomb, will remain closed until November 17, according to the Walled City Authority.

Additionally, Lahore High Court ordered markets to close by 8 p.m., with trade activities paused on Sundays.

The authorities had closed the M1 Motorway from Charsadda to Akbar Pura, the M2 Motorway from Lahore to Kot Sarwar, the M3 Motorway from Samandari to Darkhana, and the M4 Motorway from Pindi Bhattian to Abdul Hakeem. Moreover, traffic was restricted on the M5 Motorway from Shersha to Jhangra, while the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway was also completely blocked.

Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EPCCD) Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar shared satellite images showing reduced stubble burning on the Pakistani side of the border, contrasting with dense clusters on the Indian side.

SeniorMinisterMariam Aurangzeb led a smog steering committee meeting, with key decisions aimed at strengthening smog mitigation.

She said that Punjab`s advocate general will represent the government in Lahore High Court, and the smog dossier will also be submitted to the court.

She said the law minister and Lahore DC and CTO will coordinate with the Bar Association to improve traffic at Katchery.

She said that the authorities would regulate light and heavy traffic within Lahore and enforce courtmandated shop closures.

She said the traffic police will begin enforcing mask mandates on roads, using Punjab Safe City cameras for monitoring, while markets will require shopkeepers to wear masks and encourage customer compliance.

She directed the EPCCD secretary to explore cloud seeding in Multan, and offices across the province will operate at 50 percent capacity until further notice.