Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, has now earned the unfortunate distinction of being the most polluted metropolis, with the provincial disaster management authority officially designating the smog as a ‘calamity’ in the province.

With a worrisome surge in air pollution, parents are growing increasingly concerned about the upcoming school holidays, as students are required to venture outdoors while the concentration of PM2.5 particles far exceeds the levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Read more:Environmental Pollution in Lahore has Reached Alarming state

In response to this alarming situation, the interim government convened to make crucial decisions regarding schools, colleges, and public transport, implementing emergency measures.

As of now, the caretaker government has opted not to shut down schools and other educational institutions. This decision came after Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other officials were briefed that closing public transport and schools may not significantly alleviate the crisis.

However, Punjab officials have taken steps to address the issue by mandating the use of face masks for students in both government and private schools throughout the month.

On a parallel track, the Lahore High Court conducted a hearing to address the worsening situation. Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhwa and other officials appeared before the high court, where Justice Karim issued instructions not to reopen factories responsible for emitting black smoke.

Justice Karim also noted that in previous years, the smog typically affected the city in late November or early December. Still, this year, the onset of smog occurred in October, emphasizing the urgency and severity of the situation.