Smog Alert: Schools in Punjab to remain closed on 24-26 November

In the wake of deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) and in order to safeguard the health and well-being of students against smog, all Public & Private Schools of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Sargodha Faisalabad and Multan, Divisions, shall remain closed on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th November, 2023.

Schools shall reopen on Monday 27th November, 2023. According to the NOTIFICATION No.SO(A-1)1-31/2008(P-1), Chief Executive Officers (DEAS) of concerned Districts are directed to ensure compliance of the orders.

The rate of smog has reached an alarming level across Punjab including Lahore. Taking major decisions to prevent smog, the caretaker Punjab government has decided to keep educational institutions closed on Friday and Saturday in 6 districts including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala.

According to the decisions of the caretaker government of Punjab, all businesses will be closed on Sundays, markets will open at 3 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

After the meeting, Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a press conference that if the clouds come towards Lahore on November 29, they will try artificial rain.

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Anti-Smog was held under the chairmanship of caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi.

The meeting participants were briefed about the current smog situation.

Sources say that the caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab is not in favor of closing the markets completely.

Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab has said that e-bikes will be given to 10 thousand students on subsidy, government employees will also be given e-bikes on installments.

They say that it has been decided to double the sprinkling of water on the roads, the AQI level is high in the morning, low in the afternoon, there is no problem in opening the markets till night, all the markets will be completely closed on Sunday.

Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab has said that to be safe from smog, you must use mask.

He added that on Friday and Saturday the markets will open at 3 pm. All businesses will be closed on Sunday. On Sunday, Mall Road will be open for cycling only from 12:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All schools, colleges, universities will be closed on Friday and Saturday including Sunday.

Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab says that they are considering measures for artificial rain, if clouds come towards Lahore on November 29, they will try artificial rain.