In response to the escalating smog levels in Punjab, the provincial government has ordered a shift to remote work for 50% of its employees. This directive, issued by the Punjab Director General of Environment, Dr. Imran Hamid, applies to all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions across the province. The notification mandates that half of the workforce will work from home, while the other half will continue working on-site. Additionally, all inter-departmental meetings are to be conducted online, and employees commuting to work are encouraged to carpool in an effort to reduce vehicle emissions contributing to smog.
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A similar directive has been issued for private offices in four divisions of Punjab—Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Multan—where 50% of staff in private offices, franchises, and NGOs must also work from home from November 13 to December 31. This measure comes in response to the increasing health risks associated with rising smog levels.
Furthermore, the Punjab government has announced the closure of schools and colleges in five more divisions—Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and Sahiwal—due to dangerously high air pollution levels. The closure, which will last from November 13 to 17, affects all educational institutions, including nurseries, schools, and tuition centers. This decision expands on the initial closures already implemented in Lahore and surrounding areas, aiming to protect public health, particularly that of young students, from the adverse effects of smog.
In Islamabad, the situation is similarly alarming, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 268, significantly higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit. Authorities have urged individuals, particularly those with respiratory conditions, to wear masks to mitigate health risks. The Met Department forecasts that dry weather will persist, with the possibility of smog and fog affecting the capital. The same conditions are expected in several parts of Punjab, including Lahore, Kasur, Okara, and other cities, during the mornings and evenings.
