Islamabad: Amid severe unprecedented air pollution in Lahore, authorities have closed all primary schools for at least a week.
Furthermore, starting Monday, November 4, 50 per cent of office workers will also be required to work from home as part of the “green lockdown” initiative.
Several additional measures include banning engine-powered rickshaws and unfiltered barbecue vendors.
This comes as Lahore recorded an AQI of 1,067 over the weekend, almost 40 times the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended safe limit, sparking public concern and health warnings.
According to the latest reports, Lahore the second-largest city of Pakistan , topped the world list of cities with the most polluted air for a second time on Sunday.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said, “This smog is very harmful for children, masks should be mandatory in schools.”
Aurangzeb added that the fumes were “being carried by strong winds into Pakistan.”
She continued saying, “This cannot be solved without talks with India.”
For days, a thick layer of smog – a mix of fog and pollutants from diesel fumes, agricultural burning, and winter cooling, has blanketed Lahore, turning the air toxic. The situation was exacerbated by winds carrying polluted air from across the Indian border, placing Lahore third on the global air pollution index. Delhi and Kinshasa topped the list, with scores of 217 and 201, respectively.
The hazardous conditions reached a critical point on Saturday morning when pollution levels in areas near the Indian border recorded AQI readings between 1,500 and 1,800.
To combat the crisis, local authorities implemented emergency measures. School children are restricted from outdoor activities, school hours have been adjusted, and government and private sector employees will start working from home on Monday.
UNICEF data show nearly 600 million children across South Asia are exposed to high pollution levels, with half of all childhood pneumonia deaths in the region associated with air quality issues.
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