ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed the nation to offer Salat al-Istisqa for rain today, Friday, as smog crisis continues to deepen in the country.
The premier urged religious scholars and leaders to play their role in organizing Salat al-Istisqa. He said the rain would improve the environment and greatly help get rid of diseases.
The Prime Minister said special prayers should be made to Allah so that human life can be relieved of this problem. He said Salat al-Istisqa should be organized in all mosques under the federal and provincial governments.
Meanwhile, Lahore ranked the second most polluted city in world with AQI standing at hazardous level of 780 while India’s New Delhi topped that with 802 AQI.
On the other hand, much-awaited rains are likely to bring some relief from the prevailing hazardous smog in Lahore and parts of Punjab on Friday evening/night and Saturday.
As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), westerly wave prevails over northern parts of Pakistan. It will likely grip most upper parts of the country tomorrow.
Under these conditions, smog/dense fog will likely persist in Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sialkot, Hafizabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Multan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Khanewal, Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and surroundings on Thursday night.
On Friday evening/night, rain-wind/thunderstorms are likely in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Mianwali, Khusab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan and suroundings. Smog/dense fog will likely persist in most parts of Punjab during morning hours which will subside from evening/night.
Lahore’s minimum temperature will likely remain between 15-17°C on Friday and 14-16°C on Saturday.
