Pakistan’s Lahore Chokes Under Record Smog, Schools Closed as Air Pollution Surges

Pakistan’s air pollution crisis has reached alarming levels, with Lahore, the country’s second-largest city, recording a record-breaking air quality index (AQI) of 1,300 on Tuesday evening, Bloomberg reports.

This figure, well beyond the safe level of 50, makes Lahore the world’s most polluted city for much of November.

Sensors tracked by the Swiss monitor IQAir showed the alarming spike at 5 p.m. local time. In response, the local government has taken drastic measures, including closing schools and parks, shutting museums until November 18th, mandating mask-wearing, and urging offices to operate at reduced capacity.

Lahore, along with northern India, faces a chronic air pollution crisis that worsens during the winter months. The primary culprits are crop burning and low wind speeds, which trap pollutants in the air.

The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, a climate advocacy group, has called for urgent action, writing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week with a list of measures to alleviate the crisis. These include shutting down brick kilns, cracking down on vehicles that fail to meet emission standards, and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.