Air Pollution in Lahore Leads to Thousands Being Hospitalised

Record-breaking air pollution is increasing hospital and private clinic admissions in Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural capital and second-largest city.

Doctors say that many people in the city are complaining of either having a cough or feeling their eyes burning.

Salman Kazmi, Vice President of the Pakistan Medical Association, stated:

“Tens of thousands of patients suffering from respiratory diseases were treated at hospitals and clinics in a week.”

A toxic smog has encompassed Lahore since October 2024, causing a growing public health concern.

Pakistani authorities warned that a complete lockdown could be imminent if residents fail to follow rules related to smog, such as wearing face masks in public.

Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in the Punjab province, urged residents to wear face masks and avoid unnecessary travel, “otherwise, the government will be forced into a complete lockdown”.

The dangers of the smog are reflected in the closure of educational institutions.

Authorities in the Pakistani province of Punjab have ordered educational institutions in several areas to close. Closures are in effect until November 17 as teaching is shifted online to protect children and curb pollution.

The province had earlier closed primary schools, curbed tuk-tuks and shut some barbecue restaurants in the megacity of Lahore.

The province of Punjab has also set up a “smog war room” to tackle severe pollution.

Moreover, the Pakistan government has also said it is investigating methods to induce artificial rainfall to combat dangerous air pollution.

On November 6, 2024, the Punjab government announced a “green lockdown” in the city’s air pollution hotspots as a precautionary measure.

In the areas where the green lockdown is imposed, all BBQ and outdoor food points are closed at 8 pm.

In addition, there will also be a total ban on running commercial generators in lockdown zones.

Construction activities and Qingqi rickshaws will be strictly prohibited and banned, respectively, in the areas under the green lockdown.

Live rankings by the Swiss group IQAir gave Lahore a pollution index score of 1,165. The Indian capital of New Delhi is next, with a score of 299.

Other affected cities include Faisalabad, Multan and Gujranwala.

Intense air pollution becomes a prevalent problem in South Asia each winter. This occurs as the cold air encapsulates dust, emissions, and smoke from agricultural fires.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), nearly 600 million children in South Asia are exposed to high levels of this air pollution and half of childhood pneumonia deaths are associated with it.