In response to escalating air pollution levels, schools in five additional divisions of Punjab have been closed, with the closures set to remain in effect until November 17.
A notification from the Punjab government stated that the affected divisions include Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi. These schools, along with private tuition centers, will remain closed, and all classes up to grade 12 will be conducted online.
This decision follows earlier school closures in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan due to similar concerns over air quality.
Lahore, in particular, is facing the most severe pollution, with its air quality classified as “very hazardous.” The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is nearly 74 times above the World Health Organization’s recommended limit, with an average AQI of 588. As a result, Lahore has ranked as the most polluted city in the world, with New Delhi and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) following in second and third place, respectively.
In a separate development, the Punjab government has imposed a ban on most outdoor activities and placed restrictions on the retail sector in four districts of the province. This follows a directive from the Lahore High Court (LHC) in response to the ongoing hazardous smog, which shows no sign of dissipating.
The provincial government ordered all retail businesses in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala to close by 8 pm, except for pharmacies, laboratories, vaccination centers, and other essential services as defined by law.
According to the notification, businesses that fall under essential services, such as pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, vaccination centers, oil depots, tandoors, bakeries, grocery stores, fruit and vegetable shops, meat shops, e-commerce, postal and courier services, and utility services, are exempt from these closures.
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Large departmental stores, however, will only be allowed to keep their grocery and pharmacy sections open. The government has also banned outdoor activities, including sports programs, exhibitions, outdoor restaurant seating, and public gatherings after 8 pm.
