A severe smog crisis has prompted a Pakistani province to declare a health emergency and impose a shutdown in two major cities, Multan and Lahore. The toxic haze has choked Punjab for weeks, affecting nearly 2 million people and forcing the government to take drastic measures.
Emergency Measures
- A lockdown has been imposed in Multan and Lahore
- All education institutions are shut until further notice
- Restaurants are closing at 4 pm, with takeaway available until 8 pm
- Time off for medical staff has been cancelled
- Construction work has been halted in the two cities
According to Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior provincial minister, “Smog is currently a national disaster. It will not all be over in a month or a year.” The government will evaluate the situation after three days and announce a further strategy.
The air quality index in parts of Lahore, a city of 11 million, has exceeded 600, which is considered hazardous to health. The smog is a result of vehicle emissions, construction, industrial work, and crop burning during the winter wheat-planting season.
Causes and Consequences
- The smog is a byproduct of human activities, including vehicle emissions and crop burning
- Respiratory tract infections are widespread, with every patient suffering from the disease
- The crisis is more severe than COVID-19, according to Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, a professor at Jinnah Hospital Lahore ¹
The Pakistani national weather center forecasts rain and wind in the coming days, which may help improve air quality in parts of Punjab. However, the government is under pressure to take preventative measures to mitigate the crisis.
This severe smog crisis is part of a larger issue affecting the Indo-Pakistani region, with air pollution emerging annually during winter months due to multiple contributing factors. The situation highlights the need for urgent action to address environmental concerns and protect public health.
