Punjab Announces Three Extra Weekly Holidays

In response to the escalating air pollution, particularly the emergence of smog in Lahore and various districts of Punjab, Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has declared the closure of schools, colleges, and all educational institutions in ten districts of the province on both Friday and Saturday.

This announcement, made during a press conference following a pivotal meeting in Lahore, pertains to the divisions of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Sargodha, and Sahiwal.

Furthermore, Naqvi disclosed plans to install air-purifying towers in Lahore and provide 10,000 students with electric motorcycles at a subsidized rate. In the event of favorable cloud conditions on November 29, artificial rain will be induced, as communicated by the Chief Minister.

Notably, Naqvi expressed a reluctance to close markets, opting instead for their opening at 3 pm on Friday and Saturday. All markets will remain closed on Sunday, with restaurants permitted to open at 3 pm.

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The government has also resolved to double the water-spraying efforts on roads, restricting The Mall road to cyclists only from morning until 5 pm on Sunday. Naqvi emphasized the necessity of wearing masks outdoors and attributed the air pollution to winds from India.

Earlier considerations for a soft smog lockdown included proposals to close educational institutions on Friday and extend closures to markets, gyms, cinemas, theaters, and factories on Saturday.

Also Read: Lahore High Court Announces Additional Holiday for Saturdays in Punjab

Restaurants were slated for closure on Saturday, permitting take-out and home delivery. Restrictions on public and private transport within the city were recommended, along with government offices operating at 50% capacity. The implementation of pickets in the city after the soft smog lockdown on Friday and Saturday was also proposed.

Further measures under consideration encompassed the closure and stringent penalization of unlawfully operating factories, and the contemplation of imposing Section 144 in Lahore. This decision comes in the wake of Thursday morning’s alarming revelation that Lahore’s air quality index had surpassed the hazardous threshold of 500, reinstating the city’s position as the most polluted in the world. The recorded AQI for Lahore reached 504, with specific areas such as Cantt at 644, The Mall Road at 587, and Gulberg at 570, prompting heightened concern among authorities.