News

Schools close in Lahore as pollution hits record level

Published

6 months ago

November 4, 2024

editor

Unprecedented air pollution in the Pakistani city of Lahore has forced authorities to close all primary schools for a week.

From Monday, 50% of office workers will also work from home, as part of a “green lockdown” plan. Other measures include bans on engine-powered rickshaws and vendors that barbecue without filters.

“This smog is very harmful for children, masks should be mandatory in schools,” Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said.

Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, topped the world list of cities with the most polluted air for a second time on Sunday.

The air quality index, which measures a range of pollutants, exceeded 1,000 on Saturday, well above the benchmark of 300 considered “dangerous” by the World Health Organization, according to data from IQAir.

The level of fine particulate matter in the air, the most damaging to health, also soared well into hazardous levels.

Raja Jehangir Anwar, a senior environment official, said the “biggest headache” causing the smog was the practice of burning crop waste, known as stubble, across the Indian border.

Aurangzeb said the fumes were “being carried by strong winds into Pakistan”.

“This cannot be solved without talks with India,” she said, adding that the provincial government would initiate such discussions through the foreign ministry.

The government is urging people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

Vehicles equipped with pumps are spraying water into the air to help control the smog level. Construction work has been halted in certain areas.

The situation will be assessed again next Saturday to establish whether schools should remain shut.

Inhaling toxic air can have catastrophic health consequences, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and some respiratory diseases, according to the WHO.

Last month pupils were banned from outdoor exercise until January and school hours were adjusted to prevent children from travelling when pollution levels are the highest.

“As a mother, I am full of anxiety,” 42-year-old Lilly Mirza told AFP news agency.

“Last year was not this bad… Somebody needs to tell us what has happened. Did a pollution bomb explode somewhere?”

The smog crisis is worse in winter, when cold, denser air traps pollutants closer to the ground.

(BBC News)

News

3 police teams deployed to arrest ‘Teacher Amma’

Published

35 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

editor

Three police teams have been deployed to arrest Hayeshika Fernando, a popular private tutor known as “Teacher Amma,” over allegedly kicking a young man in the lower abdomen and groin.

According to police sources, the suspect is in hiding with her daughter and has switched off her phone.

Investigations have revealed that the assault was in retaliation over a Facebook post by the victim’s sister about Hayeshika. She, along with her husband and her institute’s manager, had allegedly assaulted the youth.

Katana police have already arrested two said to be Hayeshika’s husband and the institute’s manager. They were produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court and remanded until May 14.

The assaulted youth has been admitted to the Negombo hospital for treatment.

Reportedly, Hayeshika had instructed the youth to train a female employee in computer use. During the session, he allegedly behaved inappropriately, prompting Hayeshika’s husband, and the institute manager to accompany the female employee to file a complaint with the Katana Police.

Following statements from both parties, it was revealed that Hayeshika, her husband, and the manager had physically assaulted the youth.

Although her husband and the manager were taken into custody, Hayeshika Fernando fled with her daughter when police attempted to arrest her at her residence.

Under the instructions of Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne and the supervision of SSP Ashoka Dharmasena, Chief Inspector Wasantha Sudasinghe and other officers from Katana Police are conducting further investigations.

BIZ

Concerns over salt shortage in market

Published

51 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

editor

The Salt Producers’ Association has raised concerns over a shortage of salt in the local market.

Chairman of the Association, Ganaka Amarasinghe, said that although the government had approved the importation of 30 MT of salt, the shipment has been delayed, affecting both availability and pricing.

However, Amarasinghe has said that this shortage is expected to be resolved within the coming week, with the arrival of the delayed consignment.

Meanwhile, consumers and traders have also voiced steep prices of salt.

Reports add that the Consumer Affairs Authority has also received numerous complaints regarding this.

News

New IPL schedule announced

Published

54 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

editor

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announed that the TATA IPL 2025 is to be resumed.

After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the Board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season, the BCCI states.

.A total of 17 matches will be played across 06 venues, starting May 17, 2025, with the final on June 03, 2025.

The revised match schedule is as follows :