Dense fog once again brought life in Lahore to a near standstill, disrupting traffic across the city and forcing the closure of several major motorways.
The poor visibility affected not only travellers heading into Lahore from other cities but also residents who were out late on Saturday night, many of whom struggled to make their way home safely.
The fog began to thicken in Lahore after 9:00 pm on Saturday and remained intense into the early hours of Sunday. By around 1:00 am, visibility in several parts of the city had dropped to almost zero, making driving extremely risky.
Areas badly affected included Barki Road, Airport Road, Bedian Road, Kasur Road, Lidhar, Eden City, Askari 10, Paragon Society and Defence View. Several neighbourhoods in Defence Phase 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, as well as Askari 11, were also blanketed by heavy fog. Long stretches of the Ring Road faced similar conditions, forcing many drivers to slow down or pull over altogether.
The situation outside the city was no better. The National Highways and Motorway Police said multiple motorways were closed due to dangerously low visibility. The M-1 was shut from Peshawar to Rashakai, while the M-2 remained closed between Thokar Niaz Baig and Chakri.
Traffic was also suspended on the M-3 from Faizpur to Darkhana, the M-4 from Pindi Bhattian to Sher Shah, and the M-5 between Sher Shah and Rohri. In addition, the M-11 was closed from Lahore to Sambrial, and the M-14 from Injra to Esa Khel.
Residents say fog has now become a daily problem during the winter months, adding to the wider concerns over smog and poor air quality in Lahore. Many commuters reported delays, missed plans and stressful journeys, particularly during late-night hours.
Authorities have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and wait for the fog to clear before leaving their homes. Motorists are also urged to use fog lights, maintain safe distances and remain patient until visibility improve.
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