Dense fog forces Punjab to shut schools, private offices for 3 days a week
Children walk to school along a road amid smoggy conditions in Lahore. AFP
Tariq Butt, Correspondent
The government of Pakistan’s Punjab province has ordered closure of all public and private educational institutions including colleges and schools and private offices in Lahore city for three days a week (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) due to severe smog.
The official data of AQI released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that the highest AQI level in Lahore was 400 at Faisal Chowk opposite Assembly Hall and at National Hockey Stadium in Gulberg the AQI was 371. The data of Township and Town Hall was not released.
The EPA’s official AQI data of the last two weeks of Lahore revealed that on Sunday (Nov.21, 2021) the highest AQI in Lahore was 422 at Faisal Chowk opposite Assembly hall while in 224 and 214 at Town Hall and Township respectively. On Nov.20, the AQI was 428 at Faisal Chowk opposite Assembly hall, in Township it was 419 and at Town Hall it was 206. On Nov19, the AQI was high in Township as the figure reached 394 while at Town Hall it was 231.
Following the situation, Punjab Relief Commissioner Babar Hayat Tarar issued a notification which stated that there was evidence of persistent deterioration in Air Quality Index of the city of Lahore, fluctuating from satisfactory to poor levels, which was likely to cause breathing discomfort, respiratory tract diseases and heart diseases amongst people of all age brackets.
The Punjab Relief Commissioner ordered that all private offices being operated by companies, private sector entities and other individuals, within the territorial limits of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation, will remain closed on every Monday in addition to Saturday and Sunday with effect from Nov.27 until Jan.15, 2022. However, their staff may work from home.
He ordered that all public and private educational institutions in territorial limits of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation will remain closed on every Monday in addition to weekly holidays which shall be observed on Saturday and Sunday. However, they may arrange virtual classes. The notification was forwarded to departments concerned for information, necessary action and implementation.
