On the streets of Pakistan's second biggest city, smog stings eyes and burns throats. Inside homes, few people can afford air purifiers to limit the damage of toxic particles that seep through doors and windows. Lahore -- a city of 14 million people stuffed with factories on the border with India -- regularly ranks among the world's most polluted cities, but it has hit record levels this month. Schools have closed in the main cities of Punjab, of which Lahore is the capital, until November 17 in a bid to lower children's exposure to the pollution, especially during the morning commute when it is often at its highest. "The children are constantly coughing, they have constant allergies.

In schools we saw that most of the children were falling sick," said Rafia Iqbal a 38-year-old primary school teacher in Lahore. Her husband Muhammad Safdar, a 41-year-old advertising professional, said the level of pollution "is making daily living impossible". "We cannot move around, we cannot go outside, we can do nothing at all," he told. Smog continued to engulf Lahore as with the air quality index (AQI) recorded at 565 on Monday morning, the Punjab capital again emerged as the world’s most-polluted city, and the situation is worsening with each passing day, as no relief is in sight as there are less chances of rain, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. The smoke emitted by vehicles and rising from the chimneys of factories, when combined with moisture in the air, produces smog.

The AQI over the city’s Syed Maratab Ali Road stood at 852, followed by 732 over the DHA’s Phase-8, 609 over the US consulate, 603 over the Ghazi Interchange, and 526 over the Askari-10. It was cold in the morning while the minimum temperature was recorded at 21 degrees Celsius. The Met Office forecast the temperature to go up to 28 degrees Celsius later in the day. Multan, with the AQI recorded at 955, was the most polluted city in the country. The city was followed by Lahore with AQI recorded at 565 and Peshawar with AQI 332.

The Punjab government on Monday issued a notification regarding closure of all markets, bazaars and shopping malls in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Gujranwala region from today (November 11, 2024). These restrictions will end on November 17, 2024, while all outdoor activities including holding of any sports event completely banned. The Punjab government made the move after Lahore High Court’s orders to combat worsening smog. As per LHC orders all shops, markets, bazaars, and shopping malls will be closed from 8 pm today. All outdoor activities including games, ceremonies and festivals will be banned.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan