As pollution levels hit a record high in Pakistan's second-biggest city Lahore, senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Punjab province will ask the foreign office to take up cross-border pollution with India, according to Dawn.
Aurangzeb, in a press conference held on Sunday, said easterly winds from Amritsar and Chandigarh were spiking the air quality index in Lahore to over 1,000 for the past two days. Aurangzeb, who holds the environment portfolio, cautioned citizens about smog from India and said winds would continue to blow towards Lahore for at least a week, as per the Dawn report.
"The wind from India towards Lahore…is taking the smog to dangerous levels and the wind is likely to sustain its direction for at least next week… People should take care of themselves by avoiding unnecessarily coming out of their houses. The elderly and children should be particularly careful," Dawn quoted her as saying.
She said authorities will use the week to conduct research, mapping, and studies to reassess and determine if extended school closures are needed.
Schools Closed In Lahore Amid Record Pollution Levels
Authorities in Lahore have closed school for a week starting from Monday. Students across the city were last month barred from exercising outdoors until January 2025. The Lahore administration has issued work-from-home mandates.
She asked brick kiln owners and transporters not to worsen the situation and warned that the government could go for stricter steps, including temporarily closing down construction projects and imposing lockdowns. "Cases may be instituted against the violators, while they may also be arrested," she said.
The air quality index in Lahore surged to 1,067 on Saturday, according to Swiss air quality rating agency IQAir, making it the most polluted city in the world.
Delhi Records 'Severe' Air Quality After Diwali
Meanwhile, Delhi recorded 'severe' air quality after Diwali, despite a strict ban on the production, storage, and sale of firecrackers. The AQI in areas like Anand Vihar rose to 433 on Monday morning. On Sunday, the overall AQI reading was at 382 – the worst recorded in the country for the day.