Anger in Pakistan after top provincial politician leaves country during air emergency

Punjab has blamed this year’s particularly high pollution levels partly on toxic air flowing from neighbouring India, where air quality has also reached hazardous levels.

Residents criticised Punjab’s chief minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, for travelling to London at a time people have complained of worsening health. The recently elected leader spoke to party workers in London, after photos of her walking in Switzerland went viral on social media, and said she was seeking treatment for a parathyroid condition.

Infuriated netizens slammed the timing of the lawmaker’s visit, which has coincided with the worst air pollution levels in the country.