ISLAMABAD, November 3, 2024: The Punjab government has announced a one-week closure of primary schools in Lahore due to severe smog conditions.
Senior provincial minister Maryam Aurangzeb made the announcement during a press conference, stressing the urgent need to safeguard children and vulnerable populations from the hazardous air quality.
Aurangzeb noted that the current wind patterns, bringing air from India, are expected to persist, complicating efforts to mitigate the smog. “We cannot stop or redirect the Indian air; the only solution is dialogue,” she stated.
In addition to school closures, the government is advising that 50% of the workforce work from home to reduce exposure to polluted air. Parents have been advised to arrange masks for their children and keep them inside the house.
The minister also highlighted measures being implemented to address the smog, including a ban on certain vehicles within a one-kilometre radius of green zones. Aurangzeb mentioned that technology for artificial rain, previously obtained from the UAE, is now available locally, with plans for its use once conditions improve.
The government’s actions aim to address the immediate health risks associated with the worsening air quality while pursuing longer-term strategies to combat smog in the region.