Lahore: Due to severe smog conditions, the Punjab government has decided to close all primary schools in Lahore starting Monday, November 4, for a week. This step is aimed at ensuring the safety and health of young students as air quality deteriorates across the city.
Health and Safety Measures for Students Above Primary Level
Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, while addressing the media, emphasized that close monitoring of health precautions is necessary, especially for students attending classes above primary level. She highlighted that wearing masks should be mandatory in both public and private schools to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous pollutants.
Impact of Smog and Need for Regional Cooperation
Maryam Aurangzeb mentioned that this intense wave of smog is partly due to cross-border pollution from India, making regional cooperation essential to tackling this issue. “We cannot resolve the smog problem without dialogue with India,” she stated, adding that both short- and medium-term measures are already underway to manage the situation.
Local Efforts and Surveillance Intensified
Local authorities are also taking strict measures, conducting surveillance on emissions from factories within Lahore. The minister pointed out that the combined effect of local industrial emissions with cross-border pollution has made the air quality particularly hazardous, causing residents to inhale harmful gases like methane.
Strict Action for SOP Violations
The provincial government has issued warnings that strict action, including arrests, will be taken against anyone found violating smog-related SOPs. Those who fail to comply with the health and environmental guidelines will face legal consequences to ensure public safety.
The decision to close primary schools in Lahore from November 4 highlights the seriousness of the smog situation and the government’s commitment to protecting young students’ health.
