Severe fog on Monday led to the closure of multiple motorway sections across Punjab, causing major traffic disruptions and affecting daily life. A spokesperson for the Motorway Police reported that the M-2 motorway is closed from Thokar Niaz Baig to Hiran Minar, while the M-3 is shut between Dakhana and Faizpur.
The M-4 section from Pindi Bhattian to Abdul Hakeem, M-5 from Zahir Pir to Sher Shah, and M-11 from Lahore Main Toll Plaza to Sambrial have also been closed.
Foggy conditions have also impacted parts of the national highway.
The Motorway Police have advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel and drive with extreme caution.
Authorities stated that dense fog has covered large areas of Punjab, reducing visibility to dangerously low levels.
Traffic movement has been severely affected, with vehicles slowing considerably in some areas and coming to a complete halt in others.
Additional closures include the M-4 from Faisalabad to Multan, the M-5 from Multan to Rohri and from Zahir Pir to Sher Shah, and the M-11 from Lahore to Sialkot due to persistent fog.
On the national highway, areas including Chichawatni, Kassowal, Iqbal Nagar and Mian Channu are also experiencing dense fog, causing difficulties for commuters.
The Motorway Police spokesperson said the closures were implemented to ensure public safety and urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel and follow precautionary measures while driving.
Meanwhile, air pollution levels have risen sharply in several cities in Punjab.
Lahore has been ranked the world’s second most polluted city with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 293, while Karachi ranked third with an AQI of 213.
Faisalabad has been declared the most polluted city in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said a weak westerly weather system is expected to enter the country from Monday night, bringing light rain and snowfall over the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Rain and snowfall are also forecast for Kashmir, Murree and the Galiyat region.
