In a desperate effort to combat the worsening air quality crisis, Punjab province, home to approximately 130 million residents, has ordered half of the workforce in severely affected areas to stay home. The decision comes amid alarming reports of rampant pollution that has burdened healthcare facilities and forced officials to extend school closures for an additional week. “This is a dramatic situation,” stated Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in the province during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Record high smog levels have plagued Lahore, the capital of Punjab and the country’s second-largest city, where the Air Quality Index recently skyrocketed beyond 1,000—classified as extremely hazardous by air quality monitoring organizations. This unprecedented pollution peaked with a reading of 1,165 on Wednesday, prompting further immediate action from the authorities.
As air quality declines, the World Health Organization ranks Lahore among the world's most polluted cities, and Pakistan is consistently highlighted as one of the countries grappling with the worst air pollution globally. The detrimental effects of smog significantly contribute to a reduced life expectancy in Pakistan, as noted by the World Bank, attributing economic losses equal to approximately 6.5% of the GDP to environmental degradation.
In light of the health crisis, more than 900 individuals were admitted to hospitals with respiratory-related issues just on Tuesday alone. “To avoid becoming one of them, please stay at home,” Aurangzeb urged residents, highlighting the severity of the situation as officials scramble for solutions.
Newly announced measures instruct residents to wear face masks in public until the end of January and have extended the closure of schools, now including higher grade levels, transitioning to online learning until at least November 17. As authorities promote working from home, stringent actions against polluting vehicles have begun, with over 500 cars seized by police due to excessive emissions. Additionally, several kilns contributing to pollution have been demolished as part of the government's aggressive anti-smog strategy.
Officials anticipate that poor air quality will persist for at least another ten days, adding to the urgent need for public compliance with safety recommendations as the region grapples with this environmental crisis.
