What is causing extreme air pollution in Pakistan
What's the story
Pakistan is grappling with severe air pollution crisis, one that is rarely seen.
On Friday, Multan, the largest city of south Punjab, recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 2,135, IQAir reported.
Before that, Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a staggering 1,900 on November 2—nearly six times higher than the level classified as "hazardous" by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The hazardous smog caused over 900 hospitalizations and shuttered all primary and secondary schools for 10 days.
Cause
What is causing it
Studies show that extreme air pollution is caused by a combination of factors: farmers in rural areas burn crops to clear their fields during the winter harvest months; brick kilns emit smoke from burning coal near densely populated hubs; and diesel-powered vehicles emit fumes as they drive and stall throughout cities.
Pakistani officials have blamed the region's soaring air pollution levels on "unprecedented" wind patterns.
They said that a "wind pool" entered from the Indian cities of Jaipur and Bikaner.
Pollution sources
Cross-border pollution and local factors exacerbate crisis
Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in Punjab's government,blamed part of the pollution on "winds from India."
When questioned if winds from India were the only source of pollution in Lahore, she said that they were not the only cause.
She said that the paddy harvesting season, which runs from October to December, changing weather and Diwali celebrations over the border, all contribute to the growing haze.
She emphasized the need for dialogue with India to tackle this cross-border problem together.
Government action
Punjab government's response to pollution crisis
In light of the worsening health crisis, the Punjab government has taken a number of steps.
These include making remote learning compulsory for all primary and secondary schools, asking half the workforce to work from home, and asking residents to wear masks.
The Punjab government on Friday also shut down amusement parks, museums, and schools in several districts from November 8 to 17 owing to hazardous smog levels.