Amid record-breaking pollution levels, authorities in Lahore have ordered the closure of all government and private primary schools for a week to protect children from severe smog conditions. The decision, announced on Sunday, is aimed at reducing exposure to toxic air that has engulfed the city of 14 million for days, with pollution readings several times above the levels considered dangerous.
The smog in Lahore is a combination of fog and pollutants, driven by low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal agricultural fires, and cooler winter temperatures that trap pollutants close to the ground. On Saturday, the city’s air quality index (AQI) exceeded 1,000, a figure well above the 300 mark that the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies as “dangerous.” In some areas, air pollution readings were labeled “unprecedented” by the Punjab government, which recorded similar peaks on Sunday.
Senior environmental protection official Jahangir Anwar stated that weather forecasts for the upcoming week predict stagnant wind patterns, meaning pollutants are likely to linger. “Therefore, we are closing all government and private primary schools in Lahore for a week,” he told AFP, emphasizing that children up to age 10, including those in public, private, and special education institutions, will stay home from Monday to Saturday. The situation will be re-evaluated on Saturday to determine if an extension of the closure is necessary.
Punjab’s senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, voiced concerns over the health impact on children, especially younger ones. “This smog is very harmful for children. Masks should be mandatory in schools,” she said in a news conference. Aurangzeb added that the government is closely monitoring the health of students in senior classes, while special smog counters have been set up in hospitals across the city to assess and address respiratory concerns.
Prolonged exposure to polluted air can have severe health consequences, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses, according to WHO data. In light of these risks, the temporary school closure aims to shield young students from the worst effects of the toxic air.
As Lahore grapples with its seasonal pollution crisis, the move underscores the need for sustained efforts to address the underlying causes of smog in the region.
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