High pollution sickens thousands in Lahore

With 14 million residents, Lahore remained world's most polluted city on Wednesday with Air Quality Index readings of over 1,100

Record-high air pollution in Pakistan's Punjab province prompted authorities to close additional schools and keep government employees at home Wednesday, as doctors reported an increase in people seeking treatment for smog-related ailments.

Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in the Punjab province, urged residents to voluntarily wear face masks and avoid unnecessary travel, and said that "otherwise, the government will be forced into a complete lockdown."