LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced a three-month closure for all government and private special education institutions due to the alarming rise in smog levels.
A notification from the Environment Department, issued on Thursday, specifies that these institutions will be closed from November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025.
To ensure that education continues during this period, the government has directed institutions to implement online classes. The notification stresses, “Online classes should be arranged to cover the syllabus,” underscoring the importance of adapting to the ongoing smog crisis in the provincial capital.
In addition, the Punjab government has declared smog an emergency under the Punjab National Calamities Act of 1958, enabling swift action to tackle the situation. An official notification has been issued detailing this declaration.
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This announcement empowers all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across the province to act as relief commissioners, with a particular focus on smog reduction efforts in Lahore.
The notification outlines several stringent measures, including a ban on the burning of crop residue, plastics, tires, and other waste materials, which are major contributors to air pollution. Furthermore, the sale and use of substandard fuels have been prohibited to help improve air quality in the region.