ISLAMABAD — Smog has enveloped much of Pakistan and neighbouring India, causing highway accidents and respiratory problems, and forcing many residents to stay home, officials said Saturday. Average air pollution in Pakistan’s major cities is about four times higher than the World Health Organization limits. Similar problems have been reported in the Indian capital, New Delhi, where air quality was rated “very poor” on Saturday. India’s Supreme Court banned the sale of firecrackers in New Delhi ahead of last month’s Hindu Diwali festival to try to curb air pollution in the notoriously smoggy city. ——Associated Press Writer Ashok Sharma in New Delhi, India contributed to this story.

Source: National Post November 05, 2017 07:30 UTC