Lahore: The pollution crisis is not only wreaking havoc in Delhi-NCR and northern India but has also caused widespread chaos in neighboring Pakistan. In the Punjab province, the cities of Lahore and Multan have been placed under a complete lockdown. The air quality has deteriorated to such an extent that the AQI in Multan has exceeded 2000, while Lahore’s AQI has remained consistently above 1100. According to a report by Pakistani media, the Punjab government imposed a lockdown in both cities due to the hazardous air quality levels. ARY News reported that Lahore has been declared the second most polluted city in the world.
In a press conference, Punjab’s senior provincial minister, Maryam Aurangzeb, highlighted the severe health risks posed by the smog and pollution, emphasizing the public health crisis it has created. She compared it to the dangers experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the rising pollution levels, the Punjab government has announced the closure of schools up to the higher secondary level until November 24.
In just one week, over 600,000 people in the Punjab province have been affected by pollution-related illnesses, with more than 65,000 individuals being hospitalized. In response, the provincial government has canceled the vacations of paramedical staff and extended the OPD hours until 8 PM.
Additionally, a health emergency has been declared in Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the lockdown in Punjab, all schools and colleges will remain closed, and public transport services have been suspended. Hotels and restaurants have been instructed to close after 8 PM, and private offices are required to operate with only 50% of their workforce.