As smog levels persist at alarming levels, the Punjab government is weighing the temporary closure of middle and high schools in Lahore to protect students from hazardous air quality.
Lahore has been labeled as the most polluted city in the world for three consecutive weeks, with primary schools already shut down due to the severity of the smog.
The provincial government has banned heavy vehicles from entering Lahore on Fridays and Sundays in an attempt to reduce emissions and avoid untoward incident.
Smoke carried by winds from crop burning in neighboring state of India has intensified the pollution crisis in Lahore, contributing to the toxic air of provincial capital city.
According to the local media, Lahore recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 414 on Monday, categorizing it as hazardous.
Some areas fared worse, with DHA Phase 8 recording a staggering 714, Syed Maratib Ali Road at 569, and the US Consulate at 424.
To mitigate the smog, the government has introduced a “green lockdown” in parts of Lahore, focusing on limiting emissions from activities like construction, barbeques, and rickshaw operations.
Meanwhile, Multan has also reported concerning AQI levels, reaching a hazardous 657, yet local authorities have been slow to respond.
In Narowal, illegal stubble burning continues, raising respiratory and skin health concerns among residents. Authorities have warned farmers to halt these practices or face strict penalties.
Many residents are calling on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and local officials to take stronger action against air quality violators to protect public health.
