Pakistan shuts primary schools in Lahore over record pollution

Cyclists participate in an awareness campaign against smog and pollution in Lahore on November 3, 2024. Air pollution in Pakistan's second biggest city Lahore soared on November 2. [AFP]

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.

For days, the city of 14 million people has been enveloped by smog, a mix of fog and pollutants caused by low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal agricultural burning and winter cooling.