Smog alert: Secondary schools to be closed in three Punjab divisions

LAHORE: The Punjab government has now decided to close all schools up to the higher secondary level until November 17 in order to prevent students’ exposure to smog,

Addressing a press conference in Lahore Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday announced that schools would remain closed in Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala and Faisalabad divisions.

“Today the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore rose to over 1,100,” she said, adding, “Lahore, Sheikhupura, Multan and Gujranwala are the most affected districts in the province.”

Marriyum said that instructions had been given to schools’ administrations to arrange online classes during this period.

She said that the government has decided to reduce in-office presence for public and private offices by shifting 40 per cent of operations online. Offices will operate with 50 per cent attendance until November 17, while remote meetings on platforms like Zoom are encouraged.

SOPs tightened for Lahore’s open air restaurants

Strict mask mandates and closed windows and doors in offices have also been enforced.

Citizens in Multan have been urged to wear masks, and the government has increased fines for smog-related violations, taking swift action on complaints filed through the 1373 helpline.

The minister went on to say that smog was continuously entering Pakistan’s borders from India, and there was a need for both Pakistan and India to work together to get rid of this threat.

Using Safe City cameras, authorities will monitor motorbikes for smog compliance. Wind flow from India is expected to continue toward Pakistan for the next 10 days, and the government will reassess the situation next week.

An air quality index (AQI) exceeding 1000 is highly dangerous, increasing cancer risk, officials warned.

Officials noted that Lahore’s green cover, ideally 36 per cent, is currently only 3.3 per cent, which is a serious concern in addressing the smog crisis.