LAHORE: As air pollution in Punjab reaches alarming levels, the provincial government has implemented sweeping measures to curb health risks, including the closure of all schools until November 17. With smog levels hitting record highs in cities like Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan, officials are calling it one of the worst environmental crises in recent years.
The Punjab government’s response includes not only the closure of primary and secondary schools but also the introduction of a significant shift in workplace norms. Starting this week, 50% of staff at both government and private offices will be required to work from home, while all official meetings will transition to virtual platforms like Zoom.
Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb addressed the media to explain the severity of the situation, revealing that Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) had soared past 1,000 on Saturday, a level nearly 40 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit for safe air quality. The toxic mix of pollutants includes smoke from agricultural burning, particularly the burning of crop residue in neighboring India, and the burning of low-grade diesel, compounded by the onset of winter weather.
“This is an urgent public health emergency,” said Aurangzeb. “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 has ordered all schools in the most affected cities to close, with online classes to be offered for students. The government has also mandated the use of face masks for residents, adding that violations of existing environmental bans, such as the continued use of plastic bags, are contributing to the worsening conditions.
“We are dealing with a perfect storm,” Aurangzeb continued. “The winds from Rajasthan and other regions of India are making the situation even worse for cities like Multan and Gujranwala. Unfortunately, the smog is expected to persist for at least another 10 days.”
In a bid to more effectively manage the crisis, 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 sources of pollution, including construction sites and industries, to curb emissions. Public health advisories have been issued urging residents to stay indoors as much as possible, especially children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
The root causes of Punjab’s worsening air quality are multifaceted. A major contributor is the seasonal burning of crop residue, which significantly worsens air quality during harvest season, particularly in rural areas. While Pakistan has implemented a ban on this practice, enforcement remains a challenge. Aurangzeb acknowledged that while the government is working to prevent these burns, “there are significant gaps in compliance, especially in rural regions.”
Additionally, the rising number of vehicles and industrial emissions in urban areas continue to exacerbate the problem. The smog crisis is compounded by the growing use of low-quality diesel in both public and private transportation.
The government is looking to introduce more stringent pollution control measures in the coming months. “We are focusing on long-term strategies, such as transitioning to cleaner fuels, improving public transportation infrastructure, and strengthening environmental laws,” Aurangzeb said.
While the health impacts of smog are most concerning, the economic toll is also starting to mount. With office workers working remotely and many businesses forced to adjust to the crisis, productivity is being hampered. Retail businesses, especially those in the entertainment and hospitality sectors, have reported reduced foot traffic as residents stay indoors.
Moreover, the closure of schools and the shift to online education have raised concerns among parents about the quality of learning, particularly for students in rural areas with limited access to technology.
As the government battles the crisis on multiple fronts, the smog situation in Punjab remains dire, with little relief expected in the immediate future.
