The locals of Multan are facing immense difficulties as a thick blanket of smog has once again enveloped the city and its adjoining areas.

According to details, traffic on national highways and motorways was badly interrupted, while the drivers were directed to avoid unnecessary travel.

As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) office, mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country. However, cloudy weather conditions with light rain and thunderstorm (with light snowfall over the hills) is predicted at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Rawalpindi, Sargodha divisions, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

Earlier, the government had ordered all traditional brick kilns to be closed down for 70 days, in a bid to combat worsening of smog. The kiln organizations strongly criticized the decision, stating that the government had not taken any step to control the increasing prices of bricks.