UNICEF’s representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil, has issued a dire warning about the severe health risks facing over 11 million children in Punjab due to hazardous air pollution. He emphasizes the urgent need for government intervention to curb the worsening smog and protect vulnerable populations, particularly children under five who are disproportionately affected. Fadil highlights the alarming increase in child mortality linked to air pollution and the additional risks posed to expectant mothers, including premature births, respiratory complications, and low birth weight. He calls for clean air as a fundamental right for every child and urges immediate action to safeguard the health and well-being of Pakistan’s youngest citizens. The situation is so severe that schools in Punjab have been temporarily closed and public spaces restricted to limit exposure to the dangerous smog levels.