LAHORE: As Lahore ranked as the most polluted city globally, the government of Punjab has announced new school timings for schools amid smog across the province.
The Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat took to X, and announced the new school timings, stating that “Winter School timing 8:45 to 1:30 pm.”
Various cities in central Punjab, including Lahore, are once again engulfed in smog.
The Environmental Protection Department has warned that polluted air coming from the Indian border has started affecting the air quality of the region.
According to environmental experts, the average air quality index of Lahore is likely to be between 220 and 240 during the next 24 hours, which is extremely dangerous for health.
Environmental experts said smoke from industrial and agricultural zones in Indian Punjab has drifted into Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sheikhupura due to winds blowing from east to west.
The situation has been aggravated by an increase in crop residue burning across the border, officials added.
In response, the Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on smoke-emitting kilns, factories, and vehicles.
Teams from the Environment and Forest departments are operating round the clock to monitor violations.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has urged the citizens to stay indoors during early morning and evening hours and to report any incidents of crop burning immediately.
Authorities reiterated that the government is enforcing a strict zero-tolerance policy on the burning of crop residues to curb worsening air pollution.
Lahore Records World’s Worst Air Quality
Despite efforts to combat smog, Lahore recently recorded the world’s worst air quality, with an AQI of 362, according to global monitoring platform IQAir.
The city surpassed Delhi, Kolkata, and Beijing in pollution levels, while Karachi also ranked among the top five most polluted cities, with an AQI of 161.
The hazardous air continues to pose severe health risks.
To tackle the crisis, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered a halt to large-scale construction activities across Punjab and directed the use of anti-smog guns at major points in Lahore.
The guns have been deployed at Allama Iqbal Town, Multan Road, Karim Block, Ravi Pul, Shahdara Flyover, Thokar Niaz Baig, Upper Mall, and GT Road.
Also read: Smog Alert: Will schools get holidays?
