Lahore, NOV 8: The smog crisis in Pakistan’s Punjab province is taking a severe toll on public health, daily life, and the environment, particularly in its major cities such as Lahore and Multan. In response to unprecedented levels of air pollution, the provincial government has issued emergency measures, closing public spaces like parks, zoos, playgrounds, and museums until at least November 17. This restriction highlights the urgent health risk posed by the smog, which has been fueled by a combination of industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and seasonal crop burning.
Air quality readings in Punjab have reached critical levels, with Lahore’s PM2.5 concentration reportedly over 20 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In Multan, this figure has soared to nearly 48 times the acceptable threshold, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to well above the “hazardous” level of 300, with some readings surpassing 1,000. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants, particularly PM2.5 particles, is associated with severe respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, increasing the risk of strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and other life-threatening ailments. The WHO links this kind of air quality to a reduction in life expectancy; for Lahore residents, it could mean losing an average of 7.5 years from their lives.
Schools in Punjab’s major cities were closed last Tuesday, an order later extended to additional smog-stricken cities. The government is also implementing long-term measures to curb emissions, banning high-polluting tuk-tuks and unfiltered barbecues in “hot spot” zones in Lahore. Agricultural crop burning, a major contributor to the smog, remains a persistent challenge, as many farmers rely on this traditional method to clear their fields.
The smog’s impact is especially pronounced on children, who are among the most vulnerable to air pollution’s health effects. UNICEF estimates that almost 600 million children across South Asia are exposed to similar high pollution levels, which are linked to half of all childhood pneumonia deaths. As Punjab continues to grapple with this crisis, it reflects the broader issue of air pollution that plagues the region, with devastating consequences for public health, longevity, and quality of life.
