Toxic smog chokes Pakistan (photos)

Arab Weather - The Punjab region in Pakistan is facing record levels of pollution, forcing authorities to stop many activities and events in an attempt to protect the population, while the United Nations warned of the risk of about 11 million children contracting respiratory diseases.

Lahore tops list of most polluted cities in the world

According to experts, Lahore, the provincial capital, is the world's most polluted city, with an air quality index of 74 times the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit, with an average reading of 588. Multan recorded levels of 800, while anything above 300 is considered extremely hazardous to health.

“The children are constantly coughing, they have constant allergies.”

Pakistan's record-breaking smog forces people indoors to protect them from polluted air — in pictures https://t.co/KxlRooB4ya pic.twitter.com/SG4cOIcpS8

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 11, 2024

Toxic fog scene like horror movies

A series of photos documented the spread of heavy toxic fumes that created a thick artificial fog in the city's skyline, which led to poor visibility in a way that resembled scenes from the American horror movie "The Mist."

• UNICEF warns of pollution risks to children's health

UNICEF has expressed concern about the impact of pollution on the health of 11 million children in the region, as these conditions pose a major threat to their health due to polluted air.

• Strict government measures to protect residents

Authorities have taken precautionary measures, including closing schools in some parts of the region, preventing children from being exposed to toxic smoke, closing parks and museums for 10 days, closing shops at 8 p.m., and reducing the number of workers in the public and private sectors by half.

• New policy to limit weddings during pollution season

The Punjab government has moved the Supreme Court to restrict weddings during the “toxic haze” season, suggesting that such events should not be held between October and December every year. The Supreme Court has adjourned its hearing on the decision until November 15.

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