Satellite images show record smog in Pakistan, endangering millions
Since last month, thick, hazardous smog has covered eastern Pakistan and northern India, creating a severe air quality crisis. Satellite images from NASA reveal vast clouds of pollution stretching across Pakistan’s Punjab province, including cities like Lahore and Multan, extending eastward into India.
On November 11, Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 600, categorized as "hazardous," though it had previously reached 1,900. Multan saw AQI levels of 2,135, with PM2.5 particulates far exceeding WHO's safety limits. This annual winter smog results from agricultural burning, coal-fired power plants, traffic, and stagnant air. The colder air in winter traps pollution, worsening air quality.
Pakistani authorities have responded by closing schools, parks, and public spaces to protect residents, as hospitals are overwhelmed with pollution-related health issues. The Pakistani Environmental Protection Agency reported a surge in respiratory cases, with over 30,000 patients treated in Punjab. This smog especially endangers children, as UNICEF estimates over 11 million children under five are exposed to hazardous air, risking respiratory illnesses and developmental harm.
To mitigate the crisis, the Punjab government has restricted outdoor activities, shortened business hours, and called for dialogue with India to address the cross-border pollution problem. Health advocates and environmentalists urge urgent, sustainable solutions to combat pollution, which the WHO links to millions of deaths annually. Experts warn that climate change will continue to exacerbate pollution events like this one, driven by rising fossil fuel consumption.