Educational institutions up to class 12 closed in Punjab cities amid rising smog

LAHORE – The Punjab government on Wednesday announced the closure of all educational institutions up to Grade 12 or higher secondary until November 17 in different cities due to rising smog.

The government has also issued a notification in this regard, stating that the institutions have been closed in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Gujrant, Mandi Bahaudin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Sing, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari and Khanewal.

The smog holidays for the institutions will commence from November 7.

Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that various departments are actively working to tackle smog. She added that a special control room has been set up at Environment Protection Agency to monitor air quality.

Furthermore, the government has made the use of face masks mandatory for all citizens.