Lahore: Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that the Punjab Government has decided to close primary schools in Lahore for one week in response to severe smog conditions. The decision reflects the government’s efforts to safeguard the health of children and other vulnerable groups from the hazardous air quality currently affecting the city.

According to Radio Pakistan, Marriyum Aurangzeb, during a news conference in Lahore, explained that the intense smog is largely attributed to stubble burning across the border and strong winds carrying pollutants into the region. She emphasized that the government is actively working to address this issue, with a War Room set up within the Environment Protection Department to continuously monitor the smog situation.

The Senior Minister urged farmers to cease stubble burning, noting that the government is enforcing strict measures against such activities. Several arrests have been made for violating the ban, and for the first time, illegal brick kilns contr
ibuting to air pollution have been demolished in the province.

In addition to the school closures, the government has recommended that 50 percent of the workforce work from home to reduce exposure to polluted air. Marriyum Aurangzeb advised parents to ensure their children wear masks and stay indoors as much as possible during this period.

Further actions to mitigate the smog’s impact include a ban on certain vehicles within a one-kilometer radius of green zones. The Senior Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to addressing the immediate health threats posed by the deteriorating air quality while also seeking long-term solutions to combat smog across the province.