The Punjab government has announced an extension of school closures until November 24 due to the ongoing severe smog in the region. This includes all public and private educational institutions, as well as tuition centers.
Initially, schools were set to reopen on November 17, but with the worsening air quality, the closure period has been extended for an additional week. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore has reached alarming levels, with the city becoming one of the most polluted in the world, registering an AQI of 1600.
A notification from the School Education Department of Punjab, issued on Friday, stated that in light of the dangerous smog and reduced visibility, all educational institutions (except those in District Murree) will remain closed. Online classes are being implemented for affected areas.
The persistent smog, which has blanketed several cities in Punjab, has prompted additional measures from the government, including the sealing of dozens of shops, restaurants, and wedding halls, alongside an early market closure policy starting at 8 p.m.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the provincial government has declared a health emergency in Lahore and Multan. However, Governor Sardar Saleem Haider has criticized the government’s handling of the smog situation, urging for a formal declaration of a smog emergency across the entire province.
