Islamabad, 12 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Pakistani on Tuesday introduced new measures to control toxic smog after a United Nations' warning that more than 11 million children might be at risk of lung infections.

The government ordered the closure of schools across the entire province of Punjab, while markets would be closed at 8 pm and all public and private offices were directed to reduce staffing by half, a regional senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, said.

The Punjab government earlier in the month ordered schools to close in eight major cities and ordered the closure of certain businesses such as brick kilns to control emissions.

The UN agency for children warned that more than 11 million children under 5 who were breathing in the toxic air might be at risk of infections in the region.

"Young children are most affected by air pollution because they have smaller lungs and lack the immunities that come with age," the UNICEF statement said.

Photo: MIA archive