Amid a hazardous air quality crisis, the Punjab government in Pakistan has imposed a 10-day closure of amusement parks, museums, and schools across multiple districts, from November 8 to 17. The decision comes as the region grapples with dangerously high smog levels, with health and safety concerns reaching alarming heights.
The affected areas include major urban centers such as Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and others in southern and central Punjab. The government’s closure order also affects educational institutions, mandating that schools, tuition centers, and academies remain closed during this period. The measures aim to limit exposure to the toxic air and protect vulnerable populations, particularly children and the elderly.
In Multan, the largest city in southern Punjab, air quality reached unprecedented levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to an alarming 2,135 between 8 am and 9 am on Friday. The hazardous air persisted throughout the day, peaking at 980 by 10 pm—more than three times the level considered dangerous. The concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, measured a staggering 947 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) safety guidelines.
Lahore, Punjab’s capital, recorded similarly troubling levels, with an AQI of 676. The city topped global pollution rankings, reaching an AQI of 784 on Thursday, and surpassing 1,000 the day before. Other cities like Peshawar, Islamabad, and Karachi also faced hazardous air quality, with residents reporting worsening respiratory conditions. The toxic smog has led to a significant increase in hospital visits for respiratory problems, particularly asthma, bronchitis, and other lung diseases.
Meteorologists predict that the situation will worsen as low wind speeds hinder the dispersal of the smog, trapping pollutants in the atmosphere for longer periods. As a result, experts have warned that the air quality may further deteriorate in the coming days, exacerbating the already challenging conditions for the public. Health authorities are urging residents to wear protective face masks when venturing outside, limit outdoor activities, and avoid prolonged exposure to the polluted air.
The government’s response to the smog crisis includes the establishment of special task forces in Lahore to monitor the air quality and coordinate efforts to minimize the impact. These initiatives include distributing masks, providing health advisories, and pushing for long-term solutions to mitigate pollution. However, despite these efforts, the scale of the smog emergency is proving difficult to control, with many local residents expressing frustration over the persistent environmental and health hazards.
This ongoing air quality emergency has raised urgent calls for stronger measures to tackle the root causes of pollution, such as industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and crop burning. While short-term measures have been enacted to safeguard public health, experts emphasize that addressing the broader environmental factors contributing to the crisis will be essential to preventing future occurrences of such extreme air pollution.
