The Punjab province of Pakistan declared a health emergency on Friday as toxic smog blanketed the region, prompting sweeping measures to curb pollution. Schools remain closed for another week, universities have transitioned to online classes, and construction activities have been halted. The crisis has also led to widespread prayers for rain and divine forgiveness, as the province grapples with hazardous air quality.
Over 600 government mosques hosted special prayers, known as Namaz-e-Istisqa, seeking rainfall to alleviate the smog. “We prayed for rain to decrease smog, though it is caused by humans’ own mistakes,” said Muhammad Ejaz, a prayer leader in Lahore, the provincial capital. The prayers also sought forgiveness for actions contributing to the environmental crisis.
Punjab faces worsening smog every winter due to a mix of dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke from illegal stubble burning. This year, however, the lack of seasonal rainfall has exacerbated the problem. Sajid Bashir, spokesperson for the provincial Environment Department, noted that rain in September and October usually helps clear particulate matter. “This year, we’re still waiting,” he said.
Lahore, a city of over 11 million, has consistently topped air quality indexes as the most polluted city globally this week, according to Swiss monitoring group IQAir.
In response, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced stringent measures to tackle the smog. At a press briefing, she confirmed the closure of construction sites, brick kilns, and furnace-based plants in Lahore and Multan. Additionally, authorities have banned access to public spaces, including parks, zoos, and playgrounds.
“If conditions don’t improve, we will enforce a complete three-day lockdown starting next Friday,” Aurangzeb warned.
Educational institutions are among the hardest hit by the crisis. Schools, which were initially closed until November 17, will remain shut for another week, with classes moving online. Colleges and universities have also transitioned to virtual learning.
Punjab authorities have pointed fingers at neighboring India for contributing to the region’s air pollution. New Delhi, often ranked as the world’s most polluted capital, has implemented similar measures, including a ban on non-essential construction and a shift to online classes. Indian residents have also been urged to avoid using coal and wood.
With no immediate relief in sight, the province’s efforts to mitigate the smog are being closely monitored, as residents hope for rain to bring an end to the suffocating crisis.
