Lahore: With air pollution in Punjab reaching alarming levels, the provincial government has implemented sweeping measures to reduce health risks, including closing all schools until November 17. With smog levels reaching record levels in cities such as Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan, officials describe it as one of the worst environmental crises in recent years.
The Punjab government’s response includes not only closing primary and secondary schools, but also introducing a major shift in workplace standards. Starting this week, 50% of employees in government and private offices will be asked to work from home, while all official meetings will move to virtual platforms such as Zoom.
Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb addressed the media to explain the seriousness of the situation, revealing that Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) had risen to more than 1,000 on Saturday, a level nearly 40 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit for safe air quality. . The toxic mix of pollutants includes smoke from burning agricultural produce, especially burning crop residue in neighboring India, and burning low-quality diesel fuel, which is exacerbated by the onset of winter weather.
“This is an urgent public health emergency,” Aurangzeb said. “The air quality in Lahore and other cities has reached dangerous levels, with particulate matter levels exceeding 600, which is far beyond the threshold of what is safe for human health.”
In response to the health threat, the provincial government ordered the closure of all schools in the most affected cities, with online classes offered to students. The government also imposed the use of face masks on residents, adding that violations of the current environmental ban, such as the continued use of plastic bags, contribute to worsening conditions.
“We are dealing with a perfect storm,” Aurangzeb continued. “The winds coming from Rajasthan and other parts of India are making the situation worse for cities like Multan and Gujranwala. Unfortunately, the smog is expected to continue for at least 10 more days.
In an attempt to manage the crisis more effectively, the Punjab government has set up a “smog war room” under the supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This task force will monitor pollution levels in real time and coordinate responses across relevant government departments.
Local authorities are also targeting major pollution sources, including construction sites and industries, to reduce emissions. Public health warnings have been issued urging residents to stay home as much as possible, especially children, the elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
The root causes of deteriorating air quality in Punjab are multifaceted. The main contributor is the seasonal burning of crop residues, which significantly worsens air quality during the harvest season, especially in rural areas. Although Pakistan has implemented a ban on the practice, implementation remains a challenge. Aurangzeb acknowledged that while the government is working to prevent such burns, “there are significant gaps in compliance, especially in rural areas.”
In addition, the increasing number of vehicles and industrial emissions in urban areas continues to exacerbate the problem. The smog crisis is exacerbated by the increasing use of low-quality diesel in public and private transportation.
The government is looking to implement stricter anti-pollution measures in the coming months. “We are focusing on long-term strategies, such as transitioning to clean fuels, improving public transport infrastructure, and strengthening environmental laws,” Aurangzeb said.
While the health effects of smog are the most alarming, the economic losses are also beginning to mount. With office workers working remotely and many companies having to adapt to the crisis, productivity is being hampered. Retail businesses, especially those in the leisure and hospitality sectors, have reported reduced foot traffic as residents stay home.
Furthermore, school closures and the shift to online education have raised concerns among parents about the quality of learning, especially for students in rural areas who have limited access to technology.
While the government is battling the crisis on multiple fronts, the smog situation in Punjab remains dire, with little relief expected in the near future.