By The Punjab government announced on Sunday that all primary schools in Lahore will be closed for one week due to alarming pollution levels that pose a serious health risk to children. This decision aims to protect millions of young students from hazardous smog, which has reached levels significantly above what is considered safe.
Record Pollution Levels
Lahore, a city of approximately 14 million residents, has been blanketed in smog caused by a combination of low-grade diesel fumes, agricultural burning, and seasonal weather patterns. The air quality index (AQI) soared to over 1,000 on Saturday, far exceeding the “dangerous” threshold of 300, according to IQAir data. On Sunday, pollution levels continued to surpass 1,000, a situation deemed “unprecedented” by local officials.
School Closures and Health Precautions
Senior environmental protection official Jahangir Anwar stated that the weather forecast indicated persistent wind patterns, leading to the closure of all government and private primary schools from Monday through Saturday. This closure affects all educational institutions for children aged ten and under, including public, private, and special education schools.
In response to the crisis, Punjab senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of protecting children’s health, stating, “This smog is very harmful for children. Masks should be mandatory in schools.” Authorities have also set up air quality monitoring stations in hospitals to track the situation closely.
Health Risks of Pollution
Breathing in polluted air can have severe health impacts, with the World Health Organization linking prolonged exposure to increased risks of strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases. Recent reports indicated that levels of PM2.5 pollutants in Lahore exceeded WHO guidelines by more than 40 times, endangering the health of vulnerable populations, particularly children.
In light of the crisis, the provincial environmental protection agency has enacted new restrictions in high-pollution areas of the city, including bans on tuk-tuks with polluting engines and outdoor barbecues at restaurants lacking proper filtration systems. Starting Monday, government offices and private companies will also implement a work-from-home policy for half their staff.
Collaborative Efforts to Combat Smog
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to address the smog issue, suggesting a partnership between Pakistan and India to tackle pollution across the border. “This is not a political issue, but a humanitarian one,” she stated at a recent Diwali event in Lahore, advocating for climate diplomacy between the two regions.
Maryam emphasized that cooperation between the Punjab provinces on both sides of the border is essential for effectively combating smog and improving environmental conditions for all residents.
