Punjab Mandates Remote Work, Closes Schools to Combat Rising Smog

The Punjab government has mandated that 50% of provincial office employees work remotely and ordered the closure of schools in several divisions, in response to worsening air quality. These measures are aimed at reducing smog and improving public health across the province.

This decision, issued by Punjab Director General of Environment Dr. Imran Hamid, applies to all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions.

Dr. Imran Hamid, the Punjab Director General of Environment, has issued this decision, which is applicable to all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions.

The new directive, communicated to department heads and secretaries, requires that half of the staff work from home, while the remaining employees will continue to work on-site. All interdepartmental meetings will be conducted online, and individuals who commute to work are encouraged to carpool in order to mitigate the emissions of vehicles that contribute to air pollution.
The guidelines also apply to the private sector, with a 50% remote work requirement for private offices, franchises, and NGOs in four divisions:Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Multan. In an effort to mitigate the health risks associated with persistent pollution, this measure will be implemented from November 13^th to December 31^st.

The government has attributed the deteriorating pollution to the increased emissions of vehicles, which have resulted in an increase in respiratory diseases. The Environment Department has requested the immediate implementation of commuting measures and the remote work model to alleviate road traffic and further reduce pollutants.

In addition to these measures, the Punjab government has directed the closure of schools and colleges in five divisions including Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and Sahiwal, as a result of the hazardous air quality. From November 13^th to 17^th, educational institutions in these regions will be closed.