Pakistan enforces emergency lockdowns in Punjab as AQI soars above 2000 in Multan
Punjab’s pollution crisis has reached catastrophic levels, with Multan’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surging to an alarming 2,135, casting the city into a dense and hazardous smog. This unprecedented pollution level, nearly 190 times above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit, has severely disrupted daily life, causing respiratory distress and prompting emergency measures across the province.
The AQI, monitored by Swiss-based IQAir, indicates that the city’s PM2.5 levels—tiny particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs—have reached 947 micrograms per cubic meter, triggering a public health emergency. The thick smog has made it difficult for people to breathe, prompting the Punjab government to impose strict measures to mitigate the crisis.
In response to the hazardous air quality, the Punjab government has ordered the closure of parks, museums, and other public spaces in Multan and surrounding areas until at least November 17. To further curb the spread of smog, Multan’s Deputy Commissioner, Waseem Hamid Sindhu, has enforced a ‘smart lockdown,’ with restrictions that include an 8 p.m. curfew for markets and intensified monitoring of vehicles emitting excessive smoke. Authorities are also ramping up efforts to address environmental hazards like stubble burning, illegal waste disposal, and the operation of brick kilns without eco-friendly technologies.
The crisis is not limited to Multan. Nearby cities such as Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, and Khanewal are also experiencing dangerous levels of air pollution. Nishtar Hospital in Multan has set up specialized smog treatment counters to handle the surge in patients suffering from respiratory issues. Local residents are reporting widespread health problems, including sore throats, persistent coughing, and difficulty breathing. Despite school closures, many children continue to play outdoors, and residents are frustrated with the perceived lack of enforcement of health and safety measures.
Lahore, the provincial capital, is also facing severe air quality issues. On Friday night, the AQI in Lahore exceeded 1,000, briefly making it the world’s most polluted city. In response, the city government has imposed a complete ban on public access to parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas in Lahore, as well as in other districts like Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Chiniot, and Jhang. Violators face penalties under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that additional measures are being implemented to tackle the pollution crisis, including covering cargo trucks to minimize dust emissions, advising residents—especially children—to stay indoors, and imposing stricter penalties on polluters. Authorities have also shut down non-compliant food stalls and temporarily closed heavily affected roads across southern and central Punjab.
As the smog continues to spread, residents are grappling with the dangerous health impacts of the toxic air, and questions remain about the long-term effectiveness of these emergency measures. Environmental experts warn that unless comprehensive steps are taken to reduce emissions and address the root causes of pollution, the crisis may persist—and worsen—in the coming weeks.
