LAHORE, November 12, 2024: The Punjab government has announced the closure of schools and colleges in five additional divisions due to a dramatic rise in air pollution levels on Tuesday.
In a move to tackle the worsening smog crisis, the provincial government has extended the school shutdowns to the Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and Sahiwal divisions.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) issued an official notification stating that all schools, from nursery to grade 12, as well as academies and tuition centers, will remain closed from November 13 to 17.
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The Punjab government has already closed schools in the Gujranwala, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad divisions.
The government’s decision comes in response to a significant deterioration in air quality, with hazardous levels of smog causing widespread health concerns.
The closures are part of the provincial government’s efforts to protect public health, particularly in light of the severe environmental impact of the ongoing pollution.
With air quality reaching dangerous levels in several cities, authorities have warned of potential health risks, including respiratory problems and heart conditions, especially among vulnerable populations.
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The government has also urged citizens to stay indoors as much as possible and take precautions against the harmful effects of the smog. Further closures may be considered if pollution levels do not improve over the coming days.