In brief
Hundreds of people in Lahore have been hospitalized due to alarming air quality levels, as the government introduces emergency measures to combat the worsening smog crisis.
In Punjab, Pakistan's largest province housing 130 million residents, authorities have mandated that half the workforce remain at home and have extended school closures for one more week amid unprecedented smog that has overwhelmed healthcare services. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb declared the situation dire, addressing the public during a news conference on Wednesday. With the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore soaring above 1,000 on Sunday, a record high, residents face significant health risks, including severe respiratory issues.On Wednesday, the AQI reached alarming levels of 1,165, leading to the decision to close primary schools across the region and transition higher grades to online learning until November 17. This crisis has made Lahore one of the most polluted cities globally, with studies revealing that air pollution can reduce life expectancy in Pakistan by over four years.With rapid hospitalizations, including over 900 cases of respiratory distress reported on Tuesday alone, the government urged citizens to prioritize their health by staying indoors. Additional precautions like mask-wearing in public spaces have been recommended until the end of January. To combat pollution effectively, authorities have also restricted vehicular emissions, confiscating hundreds of high-emission vehicles and demolishing brick kilns contributing to the smog.Authorities expect the discomforting air quality conditions to linger for at least another ten days, posing continuous risks for the population of Lahore.
