Three days smog holidays announced for Lahore, nine districts

LAHORE: In response to worsening smog conditions, both government and private schools across six divisions in Punjab will be closed on Friday and Saturday (Nov 24, Nov 25).  

Alongside educational institutions, markets, gyms, shops, and cinemas in Lahore will also observe closure until 3 pm on Friday and Saturday, as outlined in the latest government notification. While on Sunday a complete lockdown will be observed in the city.

This was decided in a high level meeting summoned by Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to review the situation of smog in the province as Lahore city once again ranks first among the most polluted cities globally.

Lahore Smog: tops list of most polluted city

This precautionary measure is specifically targeted at areas most severely affected by smog, encompassing Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, and Sargodha and Gujranwala divisions

The notification further extends the closure to Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin on the same day.

The Punjab caretaker cabinet’s anti-smog committee has announced a series of proactive steps to combat the crisis.

The Air Quality Index level had reached above 500 leading to increased smog in Lahore.

One noticeable measure that the Punjab government has announced is a ban on procurement of petrol-run motorcycles for government officials, asking departments to shift to electric motocycles. The initiative has been further extended today by the CM to students. He announced that the Punjab government will provide subsidy on electric bikes to 10,000 students.

In the latest smog update, the provincial government in Punjab has mandated the wearing of face masks for all citizens engaging in outdoor activities in 10 critically affected districts from November 20 to 26.

This directive has been issued in the wake of news regarding increasing smog levels that have engulfed most of Punjab, but particularly the districts around Lahore.

Smog level in Lahore today is still being reported as hazardous with severe air quality issues reaching to above 500. Similar observations have come from other districts including Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahuddin, with Air Quality Index (AQI) numbers skyrocketing. This has led to the new set of restrictions.