Climate change has started showing its effects on the health of the citizens as there has been an almost 20pc increase in the number of patients suffering from different allergies in the federal  capital.
The media co-ordinator of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Dr Waseem Khawaja, said yesterday that during the last few months around 200 patients with the complaints of different allergies visited Pims daily.
“However, for a few days the number has suddenly gone up to 300 patients a day. People should ensure precautionary measures and avoid going out unnecessarily,” he said.
He said those with lungs-related problems, such as asthma, should wear masks to avoid the intake of pollution which was becoming a reason for allergy. 
When contacted, the chairman of the Department of Environmental Sciences at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), Dr Mohammad Irfan Khan, blamed the industrial activity for the increasing pollution which has now converted into smog. 
He suggested precautionary measures to reduce pollution and plantation of as much 
saplings as possible.
Explaining the reason for the rising allergy at the start of winter, Dr Khan said humidity in the air increased with a rise in the mercury level and different particles such as dust, chemicals, carbon, sulphur and lead started dissolving in the 
humid air.
When the polluted air (smog) enters the lungs it becomes a reason for different diseases. Moreover, air also causes eye, nose and chest problems, he said.
During the last a few years industrialisation has increased in the Indian Punjab. Moreover, India has also installed a coal-run power plant in Ludhiana. “When the air travels towards the west, the pollution from the Indian province reaches 
Pakistan,” he said.
“On the other hand, due to the development works in Pakistan dust is increasing and plants are being cut without realising that it would create a huge climate problem. Now a coal-run power plant is being established in Sahiwal which will add to the problem,” he said.
“Because of the pollution, smog and fog get mixed up in November and create problems for the citizens,” he said.
In reply to a question about the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Dr Khan said there was a lot of dust in the air which could not settle down as the area hardly had any rain for the last a few weeks.
“Though after a heavy rain, the problem of smog will reduce and there will be just fog all over Punjab, steps should be taken to address the issue. People should modify themselves with the change of environment such as they should reduce outdoor activities 
and use masks,” he said.
Moreover, new technology should be adopted by industries to reduce pollution. Plants such as aloe vera are very effective in reducing pollution as they absorb pollutants. So the plantation of saplings which reduce pollution should be encouraged, he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of the National Highways and Motorway Police Ashraf Zubair Siddiqui stated that centres had been established to provide information to the road users about the weather situation during the foggy season.
“Road users may call at the emergency Helpline 130 to get information about the fog situation. Officers have been deployed at all the toll plazas to provide information and safety tips to the road users,” he said.