Punjab's Crackdown on Air Pollution: A Breath of Fresh Air?

Punjab province in Pakistan has imposed strict restrictions to combat severe air pollution, including early shop closures and banned outdoor activities. This move, impacting cities like Lahore, aims to reduce health issues. UNICEF emphasized the risk to children's health, while schools in smog-hit regions remain closed.

Pakistan's Punjab province has taken significant measures to tackle its severe air pollution crisis.

From Monday, most outdoor activities are banned, and shops and malls in select areas must close early. Educational institutions and public spaces such as parks are shut until November 17 in highly affected regions like Lahore, labeled the world's most polluted city by IQAir.

The decision follows a spike in respiratory ailments across districts like Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala. Meanwhile, certain sectors, including pharmacies and dairy shops, are exempt from early closure orders. With air quality in Lahore surpassing hazardous levels, UNICEF warns that over 11 million young children are at risk due to the toxic environment.

(With inputs from agencies.)