In response to worsening air quality and smog across several cities, Namaz-e-Istisqaa, a prayer for rain, will be offered nationwide today (Friday) following an appeal by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Prime Minister Shehbaz urged religious scholars and community leaders to take part in organizing these special prayers. He emphasized that rainfall would improve the environment, alleviate health risks, and help combat the spread of pollution-related diseases.
The prime minister called for all mosques under the federal and provincial governments to arrange the Namaz-e-Istisqaa, seeking divine assistance to alleviate the pollution crisis.
This initiative comes as Lahore, with a population of approximately 15 million, continues to grapple with dangerously high air pollution levels, recently ranking as the most polluted city in the world. The toxic air has raised serious health concerns, especially for children, with UNICEF warning that more than 11 million children under the age of five are at risk from the polluted air.
The ongoing smog crisis in Punjab has been attributed to several factors, including crop burning, vehicular emissions, and coal-powered plants. In response, the provincial government has implemented emergency measures, including school closures and a 50 percent work-from-home policy for both public and private offices in multiple cities.
As Pakistan grapples with this environmental challenge, the government and citizens hope that collective prayers for rain will bring much-needed relief and improve air quality across the region.
