Several motorways closed across country due to smog

ISLAMABAD: Several motorways across the country were closed as a result of severe fog and smog, impacting transportation.

The M5 motorway, linking Sher Shah in Multan to Zahir was closed by the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHPM), a spokesperson revealed.

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Similarly, the Lahore-Sialkot M11 Motorway was shut down due to hazardous weather, making life difficult for thousands of commuters.

The M4 motorway from Faisalabad to Multan was closed down from the Shah Shams Tabrez Interchange to Abdul Hakeem due to heavy pollution and low visibility.

The M2 motorway from connecting Lahore to Kot Momin was also reported to have been shuttered.

The bad weather has become prevalent in Pakistan in recent years, with severe fog and smog commonplace during the dry winter spell.

A combination of low temperatures and extremely dry air with rare rainfall causes the pollutants to remain closer to the ground. This forms dense smog.

Authorities issued several measures to mitigate the rising air pollution rates, with markets banned on Sunday, vehicular usage limited, schools closed and offices to work from home.

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Officials also advised travelers to plan their long journeys during daylights hours. They recommended the optimal travel window during the foggy to be 10 am to 6 pm.