Lahore Closes Primary Schools as Air Pollution Reaches Record-High Levels

Lahore, Pakistan – April 13, 2025

Pakistan’s second-largest city, Lahore, is taking emergency measures, including the closure of all primary schools for a week, after air pollution levels surged to unprecedented and hazardous heights over the weekend.

The city of 14 million has been cloaked in thick smog—a toxic blend of vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, and smoke from crop burning—worsened by stagnant winter air. According to IQAir, the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore exceeded 1,000 on Saturday, far above the “hazardous” threshold of 300. Provincial authorities confirmed similar readings on Sunday, calling the situation “unparalleled.”

“The weather forecast shows no significant change in wind patterns over the next six days,” said Jahangir Anwar, a senior official at Lahore’s Environmental Protection Department. “Therefore, all public and private primary schools will remain closed for a week.”

Punjab’s senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, stressed the dangers of prolonged exposure to the polluted air, particularly for children. “This smog is extremely harmful to young lungs,” she said at a press conference. “We are mandating the use of face masks in schools and monitoring children’s health closely. Smog counters are also being installed in hospitals.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter, especially PM2.5 pollutants, can lead to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. On Saturday, Lahore’s PM2.5 levels were more than 40 times the WHO’s acceptable limit.

In response, authorities have implemented additional restrictions in four pollution hotspots across the city. These include bans on tuk-tuks with outdated two-stroke engines and unfiltered restaurant barbecues. Starting Monday, both government and private offices are instructed to have half of their workforce operate remotely.

Children are at greater risk due to their faster breathing rates and underdeveloped lungs, experts say. Last month, the provincial government banned outdoor school activities until January and revised school hours to minimize exposure during peak pollution times.

According to a study by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, persistent exposure to Lahore’s high pollution levels could reduce residents’ life expectancy by an average of 7.5 years.

With no immediate weather changes forecast, officials say they are monitoring the situation closely and may consider further restrictions if air quality does not improve.