Pakistan: Punjab Declares Smog a ‘Health Crisis’ Amid Air Quality Deterioration

Cities in India and Pakistan are grappling with severe smog that has significantly degraded air quality, prompting authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province to declare a “health crisis,” Anadolu Agency reported yesterday. In New Delhi, air quality reached a hazardous level of 425 AQI, classified as “severe,” leading to the implementation of restrictions, including online classes for primary schools.

In Punjab, despite efforts to combat the smog, cities like Lahore continue to suffer. The provincial government has closed schools, imposed an 8 p.m. market closure, and restricted outdoor activities to safeguard public health. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the situation has escalated into a health emergency, with approximately 2 million residents seeking medical attention for respiratory issues in the past month.

Experts attribute the pollution to winter weather, agricultural burning, and emissions from vehicles and industries. As a result, there has been a notable increase in cases of asthma, conjunctivitis, and heart disease across the affected regions.