Smog drops from hazardous to unhealthy in Pakistan's Lahore

The air quality in Pakistan's smog-choked city of Lahore on Sunday fell below the threshold considered "hazardous" for humans for the first time in two weeks.

The AQI index reached a daily average of 243, still "very unhealthy" but below the highest level of 300 considered "hazardous".

The level of PM2.5 particles was also more than 10 times higher than the level deemed acceptable by the World Health Organization.

The city of 14 million people close to the border with India peaked at a record AQI of 1,110 on November 14.

Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan's 240 million people, closed schools in its major cities on November 6, and on Friday extended the closure to November 24.

It has also banned all outdoor sports in schools until January, and cracked down on polluting tuk-tuks, barbecues and construction sites in pollution hot spots across Lahore.

Seasonal crop burn-off by farmers on the outskirts of the city also contributes to toxic air the WHO says can cause strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.

Restrictions extended till Nov. 24

Meanwhile, the provincial authorities have extended restrictions on schools, commercial markets, and recreational spots in Lahore.

All educational institutions up to higher secondary level will remain closed or shift to online classes until November 24.

A notification has also been issued extending the closure of all commercial markets until the same date.

Parks, zoos, historical sites, playgrounds, and museums will remain shut until November 24 as part of the extended measures.

The Department of Environmental Protection has formally issued notifications for the extended restrictions across all three sectors.

Minister credits joint efforts

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, in a statement, highlighted the worsening air quality in Delhi, with the smog index rising from 601 to 720.

In contrast, Lahore experienced some relief, as its smog level dropped from 247 in the morning to 177 by evening.

The minister attributed Delhi’s escalating pollution to smoke from crop burning in India. She noted that a shift in eastern wind patterns has temporarily halted the influx of polluted air from India into Pakistan. However, she clarified that the haze observed in Pakistan tonight is due to post-harvest atmospheric conditions from wheat cutting.

Aurangzeb acknowledged the improvement in Lahore’s air quality, crediting collaborative efforts between institutions and the public. She stressed the need to continue these joint efforts, calling this progress just the beginning.

“The journey towards environmental improvement and permanent relief from smog is still long. With the implementation of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision for environmental reform, significant progress will be visible in the coming years,” she said.