Lahore - Thousands of people have to go to hospitals due to high air pollution in Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province. Doctors gave this information on Wednesday. Officials have warned that if people do not follow other instructions, including wearing masks, a complete lockdown could be imposed. The warning came after people were seen roaming the streets without wearing masks. Doctors have said that most of the people are complaining of cough and burning eyes. "Thousands of people suffering from respiratory problems were treated in hospitals and clinics in the last one week," said Salman Kazmi, vice president of the Pakistan Medical Association.
"You can see people coughing, but still they are not wearing masks," he said. Lahore remained the world's most polluted city on Wednesday morning with the air quality index crossing the 1,100 mark. An air quality index above 300 is considered hazardous to health. Since last month, toxic 'smoke' has enveloped the city. Punjab state senior minister Maryam Aurangzeb has advised people to wear masks to avoid complete lockdown in the city. City officials have already announced several measures to control pollution.