Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city, has suspended primary school classes for a week due to record-breaking air pollution levels. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) surged above 1,000, with particulate matter (PM2.5) levels nearly 30 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended safe levels. This decision was made after IQAir data ranked Lahore as the second-most polluted city globally, following New Delhi.

School Closures:
Classes for students up to fifth grade have been halted for a week.

Air Quality Index:
The AQI in Lahore exceeded 1,000, with PM2.5 levels 30 times higher than safe levels.

Global Ranking:
Lahore was ranked as the second-most polluted city globally by IQAir data.

Causes of Pollution:
Factors include agricultural burning, heavy traffic, industrial emissions, and unfavorable weather patterns.

Health Concerns:
Residents in urban areas of Pakistan typically lose an average of two years from their life expectancy due to poor air quality.

Previous Incidents:
Schools and offices have previously been shut down due to air quality concerns in Lahore.

Resident Concerns:
Parents are worried about the disruption to their children's education and the lack of a genuine solution to address the underlying causes of air pollution.

Additional Information:

• The smog in Lahore persists longer than usual, with authorities grappling with it for eight months.
• Winds from India, where farmers burn crops during colder months, have been carrying smoke into Pakistan.
• Residents are advised to remain indoors and wear masks, especially those with respiratory, cardiac, or age-related vulnerabilities.

Public Reaction:

• Parents express frustration over the shutdowns, feeling they do not address the root causes of air pollution.
• Environmental lawyer Ahmad Rafay Alam described the situation as "beyond classification" and an "apocalypse."

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