Smog: Punjab announces new school timings from tomorrow

Lahore: The government of Punjab has announced a change in school timings across the province starting Monday, in response to the worsening smog situation. Under the revised schedule, classes will now commence at 8:45 a.m.

Lahore has been declared the most polluted city in the world for the past three days, with air quality deteriorating to hazardous levels. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached 412, prompting health advisories and the launch of a province-wide crackdown on sources of pollution.

The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a high alert for eastern districts, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Khanpur.

According to Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of the PDMA, meteorological forecasts indicate that smog intensity is likely to increase further from November through mid-December.

Punjab’s Minister for Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that, in view of the prevailing smog conditions, winter school hours will now be from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.