In brief
Authorities have taken action to combat hazardous air quality, which has seen alarming levels exceeding 1,000 on the air quality index.
Recent measures in Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city, include closing primary schools for a week due to unprecedented air pollution that has peaked at dangerous levels. Starting Monday, half of the office workforce will also be required to work from home as part of a newly implemented "green lockdown" strategy aimed at combating the smog crisis. The government's efforts include prohibiting engine-powered rickshaws and the grilling of food without appropriate emission filters. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized the severe health risks posed by pollution, especially to children, insisting that masks be mandatory in schools. The air quality index, which tracks various pollutants, surpassed 1,000 on Saturday, far exceeding the 300 threshold deemed "dangerous" by the World Health Organization. Experts attribute the worsening smog to both local and transboundary sources, notably the burning of crop residues across the India-Pakistan border, compounded by unfavorable winter conditions that trap pollutants closer to the surface. The government is advising residents to remain indoors to minimize exposure to hazardous air, while vehicles equipped with water spraying systems have been deployed to combat the smog. Construction activities have been temporarily paused in affected areas, and authorities plan to reassess the situation next Saturday to determine whether schools can reopen. Concerns for public health continue to grow as exposure to such high levels of pollution can result in severe health issues including cardiovascular diseases and respiratory ailments. Last month, schools adjusted schedules to limit outdoor activities and travel during peak pollution times. As worries escalate among parents, including 42-year-old Lilly Mirza, many are left searching for answers as Lahore faces an intensifying smog crisis.
