In response to an unprecedented smog crisis, authorities in Punjab Province, Pakistan's most populous region, have ordered half of the workforce to remain at home while extending school closures for an additional week. This comes as hospitals are inundated with patients suffering from severe respiratory issues due to the hazardous air quality.
“Conditions are critical,” expressed Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in Punjab, during a press briefing on Wednesday. The newly instituted directives will impact over 70 million citizens living in four divisions of the province. The provincial capital, Lahore, which is home to approximately 13 million residents, has been particularly hard-hit, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 1,000 early Sunday. This figure is alarmingly high, as any AQI reading above 301 is deemed dangerous and can cause significant respiratory distress and serious health complications. The U.S. EPA classifies measurements beyond 500 as off the charts.
Lahore experienced its first recorded AQI above 1,000 on Sunday, leading to an immediate closure of all primary schools for a week. The situation worsened further by midweek, with the AQI rising to 1,165. Consistently, Lahore ranks as one of the world's most polluted cities, with recent findings from IQAir highlighting Pakistan as one of the four nations grappling with the worst air pollution globally. The World Bank reports detail the significant impact of air pollution on the life expectancy of Pakistanis, reducing it by an average of 4.3 years and incurring economic losses amounting to roughly 6.5 percent of the GDP.
On Tuesday alone, over 900 individuals were treated for respiratory problems, prompting Aurangzeb to urge the public to stay indoors: “If you don’t want to become one of them, for God’s sake, stay at home.”
New measures implemented concurrently include a recommendation for residents to wear masks in public areas at least until the end of January, and many schools have transitioned to online learning up to the 12th grade until November 17. Furthermore, in Lahore, half of the workforce has been instructed to work remotely, and citizens have been advised to limit outdoor activities.
The Punjab police have begun enforcing stricter regulations on vehicles, recently impounding 521 cars marked as excessive polluters. Additionally, as part of anti-smog initiatives, the Environment Protection Department has reported the demolition of 12 brick kilns contributing to the air quality crisis.
Predictions indicate poor air quality levels will persist for the next 10 days, as residents continue to cope with the ramifications of severe pollution impacting health and daily life in Lahore.
