Authorities implement emergency measures amid unprecedented smog, raising health concerns for the city’s residents

In response to alarming levels of air pollution, Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city with a population of 14 million, will close primary schools for one week. The decision comes as the city has been engulfed by a thick blanket of smog, resulting from a mix of low-grade diesel fumes, seasonal agricultural burning, and winter weather conditions.

Recent data from IQAir indicated that the air quality index (AQI) exceeded 1,000 on Saturday, far surpassing the “dangerous” threshold of 300. The Punjab government confirmed that such levels of pollution were unprecedented, prompting immediate action from officials. Jahangir Anwar, a senior environmental protection official in Lahore, announced the school closures, stating, “The weather forecast for the next six days shows that wind patterns will remain the same. Therefore we are closing all government and private primary schools in Lahore for a week.”

The decision underscores the urgent health risks posed by the hazardous air quality, particularly for children. Punjab’s senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, highlighted the seriousness of the situation, indicating that masks will be mandatory in schools. “This smog is very harmful for children. We are keeping an eye on the health of children in senior classes,” she remarked during a news conference.

As part of the emergency measures, smog counters have been established in hospitals to monitor health impacts, reflecting growing concerns over the potential long-term consequences of prolonged exposure to toxic air. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that high levels of air pollution can lead to serious health issues, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases.

On Saturday, concentrations of PM2.5 pollutants, the fine particulate matter responsible for the most severe health impacts, were reported to be more than 40 times higher than the levels deemed acceptable by WHO guidelines. Although there was a slight decrease in PM2.5 levels on Sunday morning, the situation remains critical, as officials continue to monitor the environmental and health repercussions of the ongoing pollution crisis in Lahore.