Record-breaking smog in Pakistan’s Punjab province has caused a health crisis, and sickened nearly 2 million people, with air quality levels in cities like Lahore and Multan.
The toxic haze has exceeded far above the hazardous threshold of 300, forcing people to seek medical care for respiratory illnesses and related conditions over the past month.
The Punjab healthcare department reported 1.93 million cases across the province, with Lahore alone accounting for over 126,000 cases. Between Wednesday and Thursday, 68,917 new cases were recorded, including 6,236 in Lahore, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) averaged 1,100 on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, UNICEF has warned thar over 11 million children under the age of five in Punjab province face serious health risks due to extremely polluted air.
Air pollution levels broke records in Lahore and Multan this past week with air pollution clocking in at over 100 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air quality guidelines. Before these record-breaking levels of air pollution, about 12% of deaths of children under five in Pakistan were due to air pollution. Every year, air pollution is estimated to kill 130,000 children under 5, in South Asia.
Punjab declares Health Emergency as toxic smog chokes major cities
Pakistan’s Punjab province declared a health emergency on Friday (November 15) in response to a severe smog crisis that has been choking the region for weeks.
In response, provincial authorities implemented a series of drastic measures, including the cancellation of time off for medical staff, closure of all educational institutions, and restrictions on restaurant operating hours. Takeaway services are allowed until 8 p.m., but dining in is prohibited.
Authorities have also imposed lockdowns in the cities of Lahore and Multan and halted construction activities to curb the pollution. “Smog is currently a national disaster,” enior provincial minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb said. “It will not all be over in a month or a year. We will evaluate the situation after three days and then announce a further strategy.”
Experts attribute the dangerous pollution to a combination of industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and agricultural practices like crop burning, which intensify during the winter wheat-planting season. The ongoing crisis has raised alarm over the region’s air quality, which experts warn could take much longer than a month to resolve.
Severe air pollution and rising health concerns
Dense smog, driven by toxic pollutants, has engulfed major cities, with Multan recording AQI levels exceeding 2,000 twice. The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative revealed a 25% year-on-year increase in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in 2024, further exacerbating the health impact. Experts warn that prolonged exposure to such pollutants can lead to respiratory diseases, depression, and even cancer.
In addition to respiratory issues, the smog has caused cases of severe asthma, ischemic heart disease, strokes, and conjunctivitis. Over the past 30 days, 119,533 people in Punjab reported asthma symptoms, while 13,773 experienced ischemic heart disease. The government’s measures, including school closures and crackdowns on smoke-emitting vehicles, have failed to reduce the smog’s intensity.
UNICEF warns of dire consequences for 11 million children
Over 11 million children under the age of five in Pakistan’s Punjab province are at serious risk due to the region’s hazardous air quality, UNICEF has warned.
“As smog continues to persist in Punjab province, I am extremely concerned about the well-being of young children who are forced to breathe polluted, toxic air,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.
Many individuals, including children, have been sickened and hospitalized due to respiratory issues due to the smog that has blanketed Punjab, including cities like Lahore and Multan
Smog has also shut down schools in the worst-affected areas, disrupting the education of nearly 16 million children. UNICEF representative Abdullah Fadil expressed grave concern over the long-term health impacts, particularly on young children, saying “Every child has the right to clean air. Children’s health and right to an education must be protected. UNICEF calls on the Government of Pakistan to fulfill these rights for every child.”
The toxic air poses significant risks to children’s health, with potential consequences including brain damage, impaired cognitive development, and respiratory issues that can last a lifetime. Pregnant women exposed to polluted air are also at higher risk of premature births and complications.
Fadil emphasized the urgent need for stronger government action to reduce emissions from agriculture, industry, and transport, and to transition to cleaner energy sources. He called on the Pakistani government to prioritize children’s health and education, underscoring that air pollution is no longer just a climate change issue but a public health emergency that requires immediate and sustained efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
WWF-Pakistan calls for emergency action
WWF Pakistan has urged the government to declare a health emergency, emphasizing the urgent need to address pollution sources. WWF’s Director General Hammad Naqi Khan highlighted the severe consequences of inaction, citing health complications, economic losses, and environmental degradation.
“Without decisive action, the crisis will only deepen, leading to further health complications, economic losses, and environmental degradation,” Mr Khan said.
WWF proposed immediate steps, such as banning high-emission vehicles, regulating brick kilns, and limiting construction activities during the smog season. Long-term solutions include transitioning to cleaner Euro V or VI fuel standards, expanding mass transit networks, and promoting electric vehicles. The organization also recommended subsidies to discourage crop residue burning and the use of low-cost air quality sensors to identify pollution hotspots.
As smog continues to choke Punjab, experts stress that immediate and sustained efforts are essential to mitigate its impact on public health and the environment.
[…] The survey, conducted from November 18 to 22, found that over half of respondents in urban areas and around 67% in rural areas have been affected by smog-related health problems. This worsening air quality has triggered significant public concern, particularly in Punjab, where the situation was declared a calamity and “health emergency” last month. […]