Pakistan: Schools Close in Lahore as Air Pollution Hits Record Level
Pakistan: Schools closeClose in Lahore as pollutionAir hitsPollution recordHits levelRecord Level
The Facts
Due to record high air pollution, touching 1900 in the air quality index (AQI), Pakistan's second-largest city, Lahore, closed its elementary schools for a week and issued work-from-home mandates.Due to record high air pollution, Pakistan's second-largest city, Lahore, closed its elementary schools for a week and issued work-from-home orders.
Lahore made the list of the world's most polluted cities for the second time on Sunday. The city's "green lockdown" policy involved banning engine-powered rickshaws and sellers using unfiltered grills.
The Spin
Thick,This toxicdangerous smog hasevent engulfedis Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city, for over a week, reaching record pollution levels over the weekend that were up to 15 times higher than what's is deemed healthy. Industrial emissions, and from trucks and cars trapped over the city by the cold winter air, have worsened the already poor air quality. This dire situation has forced authorities to take drastic measures, suchin asdiscussions closingof schools"smog anddiplomacy" requiringbetween peoplePakistan toand workIndia. fromA home.transnational Thesolution severityin ofgood thefaith problemis hasrequired led to discussionsfully oftackle "smogthis diplomacy"health between Pakistan and Indiathreat.
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