Lahore hits alarming 1900 AQI; India blamed as smog crisis escalates

Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, has recorded an astonishingly high Air Quality Index (AQI) of 1900, prompting an urgent response from city authorities to manage what is now being called an environmental and public health crisis. The AQI reading, among the highest ever recorded worldwide, was documented near the India-Pakistan border, leading to immediate safety measures and even cross-border blame.

Lahore’s pollution levels, verified by IQAir and local sources, surged to the global top spot on the pollution index, sparking alarm across the region. The record-breaking AQI highlights the severity of the crisis in Pakistan’s cultural hub, with authorities warning that the situation is life-threatening. To mitigate the crisis, the provincial government has implemented strict anti-pollution measures, including temporary closures of primary schools and work-from-home mandates to curb vehicle emissions.

The response from Lahore’s administration has been swift. All primary schools in Lahore and nearby cities are closed for a week, and 50% of office employees have been instructed to work remotely to decrease traffic and emissions. Senior Minister of Punjab, Marriyum Aurangzeb, urged families to keep children indoors and wear masks if stepping outside, highlighting the critical nature of the situation as thick smog continues to envelop the city.

Hospitals across Lahore are on high alert, equipped with smog counters, and emergency protocols are in place to manage a surge in respiratory health issues. According to a report from Reuters, the government is preparing to deal with a possible influx of patients suffering from pollution-related ailments.

In a bid to reduce vehicle emissions and construction dust, Lahore has banned rickshaws, or three-wheelers, in several areas, while construction activities have been temporarily halted in designated zones. Factories and construction sites caught violating these new restrictions face potential shutdowns if found contributing to the air pollution crisis.

Senior Minister Aurangzeb has partially attributed the unprecedented smog to cross-border pollution from India. She stated that the “unexpected deterioration” of Lahore’s air quality stems from pollutants carried by winds from India, urging for a bilateral dialogue to address the cross-border pollution. The provincial government is reportedly in talks with Pakistan’s foreign ministry to seek engagement with India on tackling these shared environmental challenges.

Lahore’s extreme pollution crisis reflects similar struggles across the border, especially in Delhi, where colder months bring severe smog due to temperature inversions trapping pollutants near the ground. With no immediate relief in sight, Lahore’s government continues to monitor air quality levels and implement new measures, as residents brace for what could be a long battle with toxic air.