Unprecedented air pollution levels in Pakistan's second-largest city of Lahore prompted authorities to take emergency measures on Sunday, including issuing work-from-home mandates and closing primary schools.

WHO

Primary schools in Lahore will remain closed for a week because of the pollution, according to a government notification.

Pakistan's second city of Lahore will close primary schools for a week over record pollution, government authorities said Sunday, to avoid exposing millions of children to smog several times above levels deemed dangerous.

Unprecedented air pollution in the Pakistani city of Lahore has forced authorities to close all primary schools for a week. From Monday, 50% of office workers will also work from home, as part of a "green lockdown" plan. Other measures include bans on engine-powered rickshaws and vendors that barbecue without filters.

Lahore's air quality has reached a critical state with the AQI nearing 700, marking it as the world’s most polluted city. Health officials are urging residents to adopt safety measures against the hazardous conditions,

A toxic cloud of smog has swept over Pakistan and India, causing one of Pakistan's major cities to put schools on lockdown. On Sunday, the capital of the Punjab region of Pakistan, Lahore, held the real-time top spot as the world's most polluted city,