Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) showed a slight improvement on Sunday, with the city’s air quality dropping out of the “hazardous” category for the first time in 12 days. This improvement was marked as a welcome change, though the AQI remained in the “unhealthy” range, with levels still exceeding 200.
The Punjab government has declared an emergency in Lahore and Multan, implementing a “complete lockdown” over the weekends (Fridays to Sundays) to curb the effects of the intense smog. The dense smog not only presents severe respiratory risks but also significantly increases the danger of road accidents due to reduced visibility.
The toxic pollutants causing the smog have affected several cities across Punjab, with Lahore and Multan being the most impacted. Multan recently recorded AQI levels surpassing 2,000 twice, setting a new record for air pollution. Earlier this week, Lahore ranked as the most polluted city globally, with AQI levels exceeding 1,000 as authorities scrambled to manage the worsening air quality crisis.
Since November 5, Lahore’s air quality had been classified as “hazardous,” but the latest reports show a slight improvement, with the AQI dipping below 200, although still considered unhealthy for the general population.
To mitigate the exposure to the toxic air, the provincial government had imposed restrictions such as closing public parks, zoos, playgrounds, and museums. Additionally, schools across the province were shut down until November 17 to safeguard students from the hazardous air.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative in Pakistan emphasized the urgency of tackling air pollution, noting that more than 11 million children under the age of five were exposed to dangerous levels of smog in the worst-hit districts of Punjab.
Meanwhile, the Indian capital of Delhi, another city plagued by smog, surpassed Lahore in pollution levels, ranking as the most polluted city in the world with an AQI of 637. Lahore’s AQI, at 188, was still among the worst but showed a slight recovery compared to previous days.
The provincial government’s continued efforts to tackle the smog crisis are ongoing, but the situation remains dire as air pollution levels continue to affect public health and daily life across Punjab.
