Record-high air pollution in Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore is sending more people to hospitals and private clinics and the city authorities warned a complete lockdown could be imminent if residents fail to don face masks and follow other guidance related to smog.

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 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.

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

Lahore, Pakistan, experienced hazardous levels of air pollution for two consecutive days, ranking as the second most polluted city globally. The Punja

Lahore, Pakistan, experienced record-breaking air pollution on November 2, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 1,900, six times higher than the World Health Organization's limit. The Pakistani government attributed the surge to winds carrying pollution from India and seasonal crop residue burning.

Pakistan blames India for worsening smog in Lahore, urging serious action as air quality index hits record high.