Punjab education minister hints at schools closure due to smog

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, in the wake of smog in Lahore, has indicated that schools will be closed while asserting that the situation of pollution is getting worse.

ARY News reports that the smog has intensified in Punjab, and the provincial capital has become the most polluted city in the world, with the air quality index exceeding extremely hazardous levels and crossing 500 points in a number of areas.

Punjab’s Education Minister, Rana Sikandar Hayat, stated that currently, the school hours of the children have been changed to counter the situation, but if the health of the children worsens, the school will be closed.

“The situation of pollution is getting worse, and for the elimination of smog, the government as well as the people will have to play their role,” he said.

Lahore has been number one on the list of cities with the worst air quality as a result of increased smog.

Earlier, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb announced new working hours, stating the change was following the high air quality index and the increasing number of respiratory diseases in the provincial capital.

School timings were changed in Lahore.

All schools in the city have been notified to open at 8:45 am, and this new timing will apply to both public and private schools.

The new working hours will be applied from October 28 to January 31, according to the official announcement.

Read more: School timings changed in Lahore amid smog concerns