As deadly smog grips Punjab, authorities temporarily shut down all educational institutions from November 7 to 17 due to hazardous air quality. This precautionary move, echoing strategies from pandemic times, transitions students to online learning.
Responding to a spike in the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 1,000, the government declared an environmental emergency to mitigate severe health risks. A senior provincial minister, Maryam Aurangzeb, stated that the closure has affected districts undergoing the region’s most severe smog crisis in recent years.
Read: Punjab Govt Closes Schools Till November 17 Amid Severe Smog Crisis
A government notification detailed that educational institutions up to the higher secondary level will conduct classes virtually. The mandate extends to Lahore, Sheikhupura, and other critically affected areas.
Moreover, the notification emphasizes the government’s commitment to controlling factors exacerbating air pollution. It mandates masks in Lahore, where the AQI has reached perilous levels.
The directive also specifies that 50% of government and private sector employees are to work from home, and all official meetings will be conducted online. Additional measures include prohibiting crop residue burning and strict enforcement against plastic bag use.
Lahore’s AQI has soared to 1132, obscuring the sun with thick smog. Hospitals report a rise in respiratory and cardiac cases, particularly among children and the elderly.
Meteorologists predict dry conditions will continue, with winds from Rajasthan worsening Lahore’s smog. The Punjab government’s interventions include a potential “green lockdown,” road water spraying, and construction halts. Marriyum Aurangzeb has urged public cooperation and warned of a possible full lockdown if conditions deteriorate.
To combat this environmental crisis, authorities emphasize the importance of preventive practices, such as mask-wearing and minimizing outdoor activities.
