Fri Nov 08 10:57:12 UTC 2024: ## Lahore Shrouded in Smog, Parks and Zoos Closed in Punjab
**LAHORE, PAKISTAN -** Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province, has been blanketed in a thick smog this week, leading to the closure of public spaces including parks, zoos, and historical sites. The move comes as the city consistently ranks as the world’s most polluted city according to Swiss group IQAir, prompting school closures and work-from-home mandates.
The Punjab government’s order, effective from Friday, November 8th, will ban public access to all parks, zoos, playgrounds, historical places, monuments, museums, and amusement parks until November 17th. This measure aims to protect residents from the severe air pollution that has engulfed the region.
The smog, a common occurrence during winter months in South Asia, is exacerbated by cold temperatures trapping dust, emissions, and smoke from stubble burning – the illegal practice of burning crop waste. This year, Punjab has blamed neighboring India for contributing to the particularly high pollution levels, as toxic air from India, where air quality has also reached hazardous levels, has been wafting across the border.
India has acknowledged the issue, attributing the pollution to farm fires in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana. In an attempt to curb stubble burning, the Indian government has doubled fines for violators.
First Piper 