Punjab Govt Orders One-Week Closure of Primary Schools Amid Hazardous Smog in Lahore

In response to the intensifying smog in Lahore, the Punjab government has ordered a one-week closure of primary schools, affecting classes from nursery to Grade 5.

The shutdown, effective from November 4 to November 9, 2024, aims to protect young children from dangerously high pollution levels, according to a directive issued by Punjab Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) Director General Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh.

Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, addressing the public in a press conference, emphasized the urgent need to safeguard children and vulnerable populations.She particularly pointed out that cross-border winds from India that bring in pollutants have further made it difficult to regulate smog levels in Lahore.

“We cannot halt or divert the Indian air. Dialogue and cooperation are essential,” Aurangzeb urged, calling for joint efforts to tackle the crisis.

As part of the government’s response, officials have advised that 50% of the workforce should work remotely to limit exposure to the polluted air. They also urged parents to make sure their children wear masks and spend less time outdoors.

More measures which are being implemented include ban of some vehicles within one kilometer radius of the green zones to help check emissions. Having artificial rain technology for technology was also highlighted by Aurangzeb discovered from UAE which will be used when weather permits.

The Management has reported the decision of Department of School Education as well as the Special Education Department and officials from both the sides are going to weigh the environmental situation on November 9 to decide whether the schools must remain closed or not.

Lahore’s air quality has reached critical levels, with pollution nearly 40 times higher than World Health Organization(WHO) standards. AQI for PM2.5 has risen to 610, while the Air Quality Index (AQI) surged past 1,000, far exceeding the ‘hazardous’ threshold of 300.

Lahore now ranks third on the global air pollution index, trailing only Delhi and Kinshasa. Reports from regions near the Indian border show AQI levels ranging from 1,500 to 1,800, underscoring the urgency of the situation in Lahore, where the AQI stands at 1,000.

The Punjab government is now experimenting on short term responses while seeking to institute long term measures to combat air pollution since the region is currently facing one of the worst air quality situation.