Smog drifting from across border in India intensified pollution in Multan, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Gujranwala: Marriyum AurangzebAQI in Lahore recorded above 1,000 and smog intensity e

Pakistan's province of Punjab set up a "smog war room" to tackle severe pollution, officials said, as poor air quality turned its capital of Lahore into the world's most polluted city and forced the closure of some educational institutions.

The Punjab government has ordered a one-week closure of primary schools in Lahore, affecting classes from nursery to Grade 5.

The province, home to more than half of Pakistan’s 240 million people, had earlier closed primary schools, curbed tuk-tuks and shuttered some barbecue restaurants in megacity La

But Wednesday's index score for Lahore fell short of last week's unprecedented score of 1900, which had exceeded recommended levels by more than 120 times, prompting closure of primary schools