Severe Smog Crisis in Punjab, Pakistan

The authorities in Pakistan’s largest province, Punjab, have taken drastic measures in response to an alarming rise in hazardous smog levels that have impacted the health of millions. In a recent announcement, officials instructed half of the workforce to remain at home and extended school closures for an additional week as hospitals struggle to accommodate the influx of patients suffering from respiratory issues. “This is a critical situation,” stated Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in Punjab, during a press conference on Wednesday. The new regulations are set to affect over 70 million people across four divisions of the province.

Lahore, the provincial capital and Pakistan’s second-largest city with a population of 13 million, recorded an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) reading exceeding 1,000 on Sunday morning, as reported by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology firm. For context, any AQI score above 301 is deemed hazardous, leading to severe eye and throat irritation along with serious respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency categorizes readings above 500 as “off the charts.”

This past Sunday marked the first occasion that Lahore’s AQI exceeded 1,000, prompting immediate action from the authorities, who announced the closure of all primary schools for one week. By Wednesday, the city’s AQI had escalated further, reaching an astonishing 1,165.

Lahore frequently ranks as one of the most polluted cities globally, according to IQAir, which previously identified Pakistan as one of the four countries facing the most severe air pollution issues worldwide. The World Bank has highlighted the grave consequences of this crisis, noting that air pollution reduces the average life expectancy of Pakistanis by approximately 4.3 years and incurs economic losses equivalent to about 6.5 percent of the national economy.

On Tuesday alone, over 900 individuals were admitted to hospitals due to respiratory ailments, prompting Ms. Aurangzeb to urge the public: “If you don’t want to become one of them, for God’s sake, stay at home.”

Additional measures announced on Wednesday include:

• Recommending that residents wear face masks in public spaces until the end of January.
• Extending school closures to include grades up to 12, transitioning to online learning until November 17.
• Directing half of all workers in Lahore to work from home.
• Advising residents to minimize outdoor activities and stay indoors whenever possible.

In an effort to mitigate the pollution crisis, officials have intensified regulations on vehicle emissions. The police in Punjab reported on Tuesday that they had impounded 521 vehicles found to be excessively polluting the air. Furthermore, Punjab’s Environment Protection Department announced the demolition of 12 brick kilns as part of the government’s comprehensive anti-smog strategy.

Looking ahead, Ms. Aurangzeb indicated that the poor air quality is anticipated to persist for another 10 days, underscoring the urgency of the situation.