Punjab Revises School Timings Amid Deteriorating Air Quality
Lahore has once again earned the grim distinction of being the world’s most polluted city, as a thick blanket of smog continues to choke the provincial capital and its surroundings.
According to global air quality monitoring platform IQAir, Lahore recorded an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 308 early Monday morning, placing it firmly in the “hazardous” category. Although readings dipped slightly to 245 by noon, the air remained “very unhealthy,” with PM2.5 concentrations measuring 148 µg/m³ nearly 30 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit.
The city’s skyline has disappeared under a dense, toxic haze that has persisted for days, reducing visibility to a few hundred meters in some areas. Commuters face difficult driving conditions, while hospitals report an increase in patients complaining of throat irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, and burning eyes.
Public health experts have urged citizens to stay indoors, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and wear N95 or surgical masks when stepping out. “The situation is critical, especially for children and the elderly,” said one pulmonologist from Mayo Hospital.
Amid the deteriorating conditions, the Punjab School Education Department has revised school timings across the province. According to an official notification issued Sunday night, all public and private schools will now open at 8:45am. Classes will run till 1:30pm from Monday to Thursday, and till 12:30pm on Fridays. The decision came shortly after Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced the change on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, citing the health risks posed by early-morning smog exposure.
Elsewhere, Karachi also featured on IQAir’s list with a US AQI of 127, deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” The coastal metropolis recorded PM2.5 levels nearly nine times higher than WHO’s recommended limits.
Across the border, New Delhi ranked second globally, registering an AQI of 221 “very unhealthy” by international standards. The Indian capital’s hazardous air quality has been attributed to vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and large-scale stubble burning in neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana.
Environmental experts note that every winter, a combination of cooler temperatures, stagnant air, and human activity traps fine particulate matter near the surface, leading to recurring smog episodes across South Asia. Emissions from factories, vehicles, construction dust, and crop burning further worsen the air quality.
Health authorities warn that prolonged exposure to such pollution levels can trigger stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses posing a severe threat to millions in the region.
Despite years of pledges and short-term crackdowns, long-term solutions remain elusive. As Lahore once again tops the global pollution charts, residents are left gasping both for breath and for action.
