13 killed in road accidents caused by dense smog in Pakistan

By APD writer Muhammad Sohail

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 3 (APD) – At least 13 people were killed and over 30 others injured in road accidents caused by dense smog in different areas of Pakistan, local media reported on Friday.

According to the reports, at least ten people lost their lives on Friday morning and three others died on Thursday.

Three children were killed and several others sustained injuries when a speeding truck rammed into a motorcycle-driven rickshaw near Chowk Azam area in southern part of the country’s eastern Punjab province.

Two persons were killed when a truck turned turtle in Attock, a district near Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

At least five people were killed and six others injured when a passenger van collided with a bus in Sheikhupura district.

Police said that most all these accidents were caused by the heavy smog leading to poor visibility.

According to Pakistan Met Office, foggy and smoggy weather conditions are expected in plain areas of Punjab province. However, dense foggy conditions are likely to continue in cities of Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Gujranwala and Sahiwal divisions during the night and morning hours.

According to many reports, the smog is coming from the burning of agricultural waste in Indian Punjab, and satellite imagery actually shows the widespread prevalence of the farm fires.

An official from the Met Office said that the harmful smog engulfing large parts of Pakistan is yet another reminder that Pakistan and India have much to talk about beyond geopolitics.

"Maybe we can do little to reduce the intensity of the smog, but much can be done to mitigate its impact, such as issuing alerts and raising awareness about steps that citizens can take to protect themselves from its harmful effects,” said the official.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)