Punjab has announced a special rain prayer, “Namaz-e-Istisqa,” scheduled for 15 November to seek relief from the severe smog choking the province.
Organised by the Department of Religious Affairs, this prayer aims to invoke rain as a solution to the escalating air pollution crisis that has plagued the region.
Officials see this spiritual effort as vital, hoping for rain to help disperse the thick haze that has disrupted daily life and posed significant health risks.
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Lahore, currently one of the world’s most polluted cities, has been particularly affected, with daily activities hampered and hospitals reporting rising cases of respiratory issues.
The Department of Meteorology has indicated that while strong winds or isolated thunderstorms might bring brief relief, significant rainfall is unlikely in the immediate future.
Despite this forecast, officials remain hopeful that the collective prayer will bring much-needed rainfall to cleanse the air.
Recent environmental data places Lahore as the world’s second most polluted city, with an AQI of 644. New Delhi tops the list with a record AQI of 1,267. Other Pakistani cities, including Multan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar, also report dangerously high pollution levels.
