Lahore (Web Desk): In response to the escalating air pollution crisis, the Punjab government has announced the closure of schools in five more divisions, with the closures scheduled to remain in effect until November 17.
The affected areas include Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi—regions that have seen a sharp decline in air quality due to thickening smog and high levels of particulate matter in the atmosphere.
A formal notification issued by the provincial government outlined that all public and private schools within these divisions will remain closed, alongside private tuition centers, which will also halt their operations during this period.
In an effort to minimize disruption to education, the government has directed that all classes up to grade 12 be conducted online.
This shift to virtual learning aims to ensure students’ continued academic progress while mitigating their exposure to the harmful effects of polluted air.
These latest closures follow a similar initiative in several other major cities, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan, where schools were already shut down due to comparable concerns about hazardous air quality.
The decision to extend school closures to additional divisions highlights the growing severity of the smog situation across the province.
As per the provincial government, the proactive measures are intended to protect public health, especially vulnerable groups such as children, who are at higher risk of respiratory illnesses and other health problems associated with air pollution.
Despite these efforts, the smog levels are expected to persist for several weeks, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while urging residents to take precautionary measures, such as limiting outdoor exposure and using masks when necessary.
