The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has taken the significant step of closing universities and colleges in Lahore and Multan due to the ongoing severe smog affecting the region. An official notification from the HEC directed all educational institutions in these cities to switch to online classes, ensuring the safety of students amidst the hazardous air quality.
Alongside this, the Punjab government has declared that all schools across the province, excluding those in Murree, will remain shut until November 24. These closures are part of a broader effort to limit exposure to the harmful smog and protect public health.
To further combat the air pollution crisis, the provincial government has imposed strict restrictions on outdoor activities. Citizens have been urged to wear masks and limit outdoor exposure whenever possible. Marriyum Aurangzeb, the Senior Minister for Information and Environment Protection, emphasized the dangers of the smog, equating its health risks to those of COVID-19. She stressed the need for the public to take every necessary precaution to avoid health complications.
In addition to these measures, a lockdown has been enforced in Lahore and Multan for three days each week—on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Air quality will be monitored continuously, and further lockdowns may be implemented if conditions worsen. The government has also imposed a one-week ban on construction activities in these cities, effective from November 16.
The smog has triggered a significant increase in respiratory problems, with over 600,000 people affected in Punjab within a week, leading to 65,000 hospital admissions. To manage the surge, paramedical staff leave has been canceled, OPD hours extended, and emergency services bolstered. In an effort to reduce pollution, the government has also sealed multiple businesses and enforced early market closures at 8 p.m.
