Lahore introduces school closures again due to smoggy conditions

Lahore – the second-largest city in Pakistan – announced on Sunday the closure of schools from Monday until Saturday, reduced staff strength in government and private offices, and ban on the entry of heavy vehicles due to alarming environmental conditions.

On Saturday, the air quality index exceeded 1,000 – much higher than the 300 considered ‘dangerous’. The Punjab government also recorded peaks of over 1,000 on Sunday, calling it ‘unprecedented’, reported Tribune.

Lahore authorities have banned the entry of heavy vehicles on Friday and Saturday nights for three months. But the prohibition does not apply to passenger buses or vehicles transporting fuel, medicines, hospital supplies and food items.

Closure of schools in Lahore triggers opposition

Home to 14 million people, Lahore is in the grip of smog and air pollution, consistently making it to the top of to list of the most polluted cities globally. This smog has been blamed on diesel fumes, seasonal agricultural burning and cold season heating.

Breathing toxic air for a long period can result in catastrophic health consequences, such as lung cancer, heart disease, strokes and respiratory diseases. The younger ones are more susceptible to dangers as they have less developed lungs and breathe more rapidly.

The closure of schools in Lahore, nonetheless, has triggered opposition from several people. This group stress that the closure is not a suitable solution, instead calling for green schools and green energy, accompanied by a temporary ban on the polluting industry.