Lahore Closes Primary Schools for a Week Amid Record Pollution Levels

Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city with a population of 14 million, has been severely affected by a smog crisis, prompting the local government to close all primary schools for a week.

Authorities made this decision to protect children from the toxic air, which has been deemed dangerous due to pollution levels exceeding the “dangerous” threshold.

For several days, the city has been shrouded in smog caused by a mixture of fog, smoke from seasonal agricultural burning, and low-grade diesel fumes.

On Saturday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) surged past 1,000, far surpassing the 300 level considered hazardous.

The Punjab government labeled the pollution levels “unprecedented” and issued a closure order for all public and private primary schools in Lahore, including special education institutions.

“The weather forecast for the coming days shows no immediate relief, so we are taking this precautionary step,” said Jahangir Anwar, a senior environmental protection official.

The school closures will be evaluated again next Saturday to determine if an extension is needed. Additionally, government offices and private companies will reduce in-office staffing, requiring half of their employees to work from home.

The current pollution crisis is alarming, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels more than 40 times the acceptable limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Exposure to such high levels of pollutants can have catastrophic effects on health, including respiratory diseases, strokes, and heart conditions. Children, with their underdeveloped lungs and rapid breathing, are particularly vulnerable to these pollutants.

In response, masks will be mandatory in schools, and the Punjab government has also set up smog counters at hospitals to monitor children’s health.

Local authorities have banned polluting tuk-tuks and restaurants without proper filters, aiming to reduce the sources of smog.

This pollution crisis underscores a pressing need for action, as excessive pollution has been linked to a reduction in life expectancy in Lahore by an average of 7.5 years.