Smog Crisis: PM Shehbaz requests nation to offer prayer for rain

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday requested nation to offer Namaz-e-Istisqa (prayer for rain) for much-needed rainfall amid smog crisis in the country.

In a public statement, PM urged the public to participate in the prayer and specially seek God's blessing for rainfall to alleviate the ongoing challenges caused by the dry weather.

"I request the nation to offer Namaz-e-Istisqa and pray earnestly for the blessing of rain," he said. "Religious scholars and Sufi leaders should play their part in ensuring the prayer is organised."

PM Shehbaz highlighted the potential benefits of rainfall, saying it could improve the environment and help combat diseases, which have been exacerbated by the lack of rain. "Rain would bring relief to the people and help mitigate the suffering caused by the ongoing dry spell," he added.

He further requested that the Namaz-e-Istisqa be conducted in all mosques across the country, both under federal and provincial administration. "In these trying times, there is an urgent need for divine intervention in the form of rain," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Lahore was rated the world’s most polluted city on Thursday, in live rankings kept by Swiss group IQAir.