Punjab's worsening air pollution crisis intensified on Saturday, with Lahore once again listed among the world's most polluted cities, Dawn reported. For the fourth consecutive day, thick smog enveloped major parts of the provincial capital, drastically reducing visibility and raising serious health concerns for millions of residents. Citing air quality data from IQAir, the report said Lahore's Air Quality Index AQI surged to a "hazardous" level of 577 in the early hours, placing it among the most polluted cities globally. Although the air showed marginal improvement later in the day, the metropolis was still ranked the second most polluted city worldwide. According to Dawn, AQI readings at multiple monitoring points in Lahore stood at 448 at Phase 8 DHA, 342 at Gurumangat Road, and 305 near the AC Office Shalimar Complex Wahga by 8 pm. Other cities across Punjab also reeled under severe smog conditions, the publication said. Gujranwala recorded particulate matter levels reaching 632, while Sialkot's AQI touched 462, heightening public health alarms and prompting urgent appeals from experts for precautionary measures. Environmental specialists warned that prolonged exposure to such extreme air pollution can trigger respiratory illnesses, eye and throat irritation, and could contribute to chronic health issues. Residents were urged to reduce outdoor movement, wear masks, and limit exposure as much as possible. The Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted dry weather across most districts of Punjab and cautioned that smog may continue to intensify in several low-lying areas. As smog blanketed Lahore, Dawn reported that a local group, Nawaz Sharif Lovers, launched a public awareness campaign at China Chowk, distributing masks and urging citizens to conduct vehicle emission checks and ensure they do not leave their homes without protective face coverings. Meanwhile, Punjab Police continued its anti-smog crackdown across the province and registered 28 cases over the past 24 hours. Authorities arrested violators and imposed fines totalling PKR 915,000 for breaches, including 26 incidents of crop residue burning, 227 violations related to smoke-emitting vehicles, and five cases linked to brick kilns. A police spokesperson said that during the ongoing year, 2,548 cases have been registered and 2,278 people arrested under the anti-smog enforcement drive. Penalties amounting to over PKR 192.3 million have been imposed on 91,518 individuals, while warnings were issued to 13,166 people for violations such as 1,652 cases of crop-residue burning, 54,850 vehicle-related violations, 1,407 industrial breaches, and 2,117 brick kiln-related offences. Punjab's Inspector General of Police has directed officers to intensify action on highways, agricultural zones, industrial units, and other hotspots, stressing a "zero-tolerance" policy against those defying smog-related SOPs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Gujranwala recorded particulate matter levels reaching 632, while Sialkots AQI touched 462, heightening public health alarms and prompting urgent appeals from experts for precautionary measures.

Punjab's worsening air pollution crisis intensified on Saturday, with Lahore once again listed among the world's most polluted cities, Dawn reported. For the fourth consecutive day, thick smog enveloped major parts of the provincial capital, drastically reducing visibility and raising serious health concerns for millions of residents. Citing air quality data from IQAir, the report said Lahore's Air Quality Index AQI surged to a "hazardous" level of 577 in the early hours, placing it among the most polluted cities globally. Although the air showed marginal improvement later in the day, the metropolis was still ranked the second most polluted city worldwide. According to Dawn, AQI readings at multiple monitoring points in Lahore stood at 448 at Phase 8 DHA, 342 at Gurumangat Road, and 305 near the AC Office Shalimar Complex Wahga by 8 pm. Other cities across Punjab also reeled under severe smog conditions, the publication said. Gujranwala recorded particulate matter levels reaching 632, while Sialkot's AQI touched 462, heightening public health alarms and prompting urgent appeals from experts for precautionary measures. Environmental specialists warned that prolonged exposure to such extreme air pollution can trigger respiratory illnesses, eye and throat irritation, and could contribute to chronic health issues. Residents were urged to reduce outdoor movement, wear masks, and limit exposure as much as possible. The Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted dry weather across most districts of Punjab and cautioned that smog may continue to intensify in several low-lying areas. As smog blanketed Lahore, Dawn reported that a local group, Nawaz Sharif Lovers, launched a public awareness campaign at China Chowk, distributing masks and urging citizens to conduct vehicle emission checks and ensure they do not leave their homes without protective face coverings. Meanwhile, Punjab Police continued its anti-smog crackdown across the province and registered 28 cases over the past 24 hours. Authorities arrested violators and imposed fines totalling PKR 915,000 for breaches, including 26 incidents of crop residue burning, 227 violations related to smoke-emitting vehicles, and five cases linked to brick kilns. A police spokesperson said that during the ongoing year, 2,548 cases have been registered and 2,278 people arrested under the anti-smog enforcement drive. Penalties amounting to over PKR 192.3 million have been imposed on 91,518 individuals, while warnings were issued to 13,166 people for violations such as 1,652 cases of crop-residue burning, 54,850 vehicle-related violations, 1,407 industrial breaches, and 2,117 brick kiln-related offences. Punjab's Inspector General of Police has directed officers to intensify action on highways, agricultural zones, industrial units, and other hotspots, stressing a "zero-tolerance" policy against those defying smog-related SOPs. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Gujranwala recorded particulate matter levels reaching 632, while Sialkot's AQI touched 462, heightening public health alarms and prompting urgent appeals from experts for precautionary measures.

Pakistan's Lahore tops global pollution index as hazardous smog engulfs Punjab

The city of Lahore in Pakistan will close primary schools for a week due to&nbsp;record pollution, government authorities said Sunday, to avoid exposing millions of children to smog several times above levels deemed dangerous.

For days, the city of 14 million people has been enveloped by smog, a mix of fog and pollutants caused by low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal agricultural burning and winter cooling.

The air quality index, which measures a range of pollutants, exceeded 1,000 on Saturday –- well above the level of 300 considered "dangerous" –- according to data from IQAir. The Punjab government also recorded peaks of over 1,000 on Sunday, which it considered "unprecedented".

"Weather forecast for the next six days shows that wind patterns will remain the same. Therefore, we are closing all government and private primary schools in Lahore for a week," Jahangir Anwar, a senior environmental protection official in Lahore, told&nbsp;AFP.

"All the classes" for children up to the age of 10, "public, private &amp; special education... shall remain closed for one week" from Monday until Saturday, read a local government decision seen by&nbsp;AFP.

The decision added that the situation will be assessed again next Saturday to determine whether to extend the school closure.

"This smog is very harmful for children. Masks should be mandatory in schools. We are keeping an eye on the health of children in senior classes," Punjab senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb told a news conference Sunday.

Smog counters have been established in hospitals, she added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-including-three-children-killed-in-blast-in-pakistans-balochistan-police-772459">Blast in Pak's Balochistan: Death toll rises to seven, CM condemns explosion</a>

Breathing the toxic air has catastrophic health consequences, with the WHO saying strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases can be triggered by prolonged exposure.

<h2>Children particularly vulnerable&nbsp;</h2>

On Saturday, the concentration of deadly PM2.5 pollutants -- fine particulate matter in the air that causes most damage to health -- was more than 40 times the level deemed acceptable by the World Health Organisation. PM2.5 levels on Sunday morning exceeded that before decreasing slightly.

Last week, the provincial environmental protection agency announced new restrictions in four "hot spots" in the city.

Tuk-tuks equipped with polluting two-stroke engines are banned, as are restaurants that barbecue without filters.

Government offices and private companies will have half their staff work from home starting Monday.

Children are particularly vulnerable because they have less developed lungs and breathe more rapidly, taking in more air relative to their size than adults.

Last month, authorities banned schoolchildren from outdoor exercise until January and adjusted school hours to prevent children from travelling when the pollution is most punishing.&nbsp;

Pollution in excess of levels deemed safe by the WHO shortens the life expectancy of Lahore residents by an average of 7.5 years, according to the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute.

According to UNICEF, nearly 600 million children in South Asia are exposed to high levels of air pollution, and half of childhood pneumonia deaths are associated with air pollution.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The city of Lahore in Pakistan will close primary schools for a week due to record pollution, government authorities said Sunday, to avoid exposing millions of children to smog several times above levels deemed dangerous.

The city of Lahore in Pakistan will close primary schools for a week due to record pollution, government authorities said Sunday, to avoid exposing millions of children to smog several times above levels deemed dangerous. For days, the city of 14 million people has been enveloped by smog, a mix of fog and pollutants caused by low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal agricultural burning and winter cooling. The air quality index, which measures a range of pollutants, exceeded 1,000 on Saturday –- well above the level of 300 considered "dangerous" –- according to data from IQAir. The Punjab government also recorded peaks of over 1,000 on Sunday, which it considered "unprecedented". "Weather forecast for the next six days shows that wind patterns will remain the same. Therefore, we are closing all government and private primary schools in Lahore for a week," Jahangir Anwar, a senior environmental protection official in Lahore, told AFP. "All the classes" for children up to the age of 10, "public, private & special education... shall remain closed for one week" from Monday until Saturday, read a local government decision seen by AFP. The decision added that the situation will be assessed again next Saturday to determine whether to extend the school closure. "This smog is very harmful for children. Masks should be mandatory in schools. We are keeping an eye on the health of children in senior classes," Punjab senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb told a news conference Sunday. Smog counters have been established in hospitals, she added. Also read: Blast in Pak's Balochistan: Death toll rises to seven, CM condemns explosion Breathing the toxic air has catastrophic health consequences, with the WHO saying strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases can be triggered by prolonged exposure. Children particularly vulnerable On Saturday, the concentration of deadly PM2.5 pollutants -- fine particulate matter in the air that causes most damage to health -- was more than 40 times the level deemed acceptable by the World Health Organisation. PM2.5 levels on Sunday morning exceeded that before decreasing slightly. Last week, the provincial environmental protection agency announced new restrictions in four "hot spots" in the city. Tuk-tuks equipped with polluting two-stroke engines are banned, as are restaurants that barbecue without filters. Government offices and private companies will have half their staff work from home starting Monday. Children are particularly vulnerable because they have less developed lungs and breathe more rapidly, taking in more air relative to their size than adults. Last month, authorities banned schoolchildren from outdoor exercise until January and adjusted school hours to prevent children from travelling when the pollution is most punishing. Pollution in excess of levels deemed safe by the WHO shortens the life expectancy of Lahore residents by an average of 7.5 years, according to the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute. According to UNICEF, nearly 600 million children in South Asia are exposed to high levels of air pollution, and half of childhood pneumonia deaths are associated with air pollution. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Record-breaking pollution forces Lahore to shut down primary schools for a week

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Pakistan's Lahore tops global pollution index as hazardous smog engulfs Punjab

Record-breaking pollution forces Lahore to shut down primary schools for a week