LAHORE, (TDI): The Punjab government has announced a three-month closure for all government and private special education institutions due to the alarming rise in smog levels.
A notification from the Environment Department, issued on Thursday, states that these institutions will be closed from November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025.
To ensure continued education, the government has directed these institutions to arrange online classes during the closure.
The notification emphasizes, “Online classes should be arranged to cover the syllabus,” highlighting the need to adapt to the ongoing smog situation in the provincial capital.
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The Punjab government has officially declared smog an emergency under the Punjab National Calamities Act of 1958, allowing for prompt measures to address the crisis. An official notification has been issued outlining this declaration.
With this announcement, all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) in the province are empowered to act as relief commissioners, focusing particularly on smog reduction efforts in Lahore.
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The notification outlines a series of stringent measures, including a ban on the burning of crop residue, plastics, tires, and other waste materials, which significantly contribute to air pollution.
Furthermore, the sale and use of substandard fuels have been prohibited to help improve air quality in the region.
