LAHORE: Pakistan’s most populated province of Punjab on Wednesday (Nov 6) ordered schools closed in smog-hit main cities, shifting them to online learning until Nov 17, as the country battles record air pollution.
The province, home to more than half of Pakistan’s 240 million people, had earlier closed primary schools, curbed tuk-tuks and shuttered some barbeque restaurants in megacity Lahore.
On Wednesday, it ordered all schools to be shut in several major cities enveloped by smog, a mix of fog and pollutants caused by low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal agricultural burning and winter cooling.
“Looking at the predicted air wind and air quality index we are closing all higher secondary schools,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in Punjab during a press conference in Lahore.
The decision will affect millions of children in some of Pakistan’s largest cities, including Punjab’s provincial capital Lahore.
The minister said on Wednesday the air quality index (AQI), which measures a range of pollutants, spiked above 1,000 – well above the level of 300 considered “dangerous” – according to data from IQAir.
“This morning’s AQI crossed 1,100,” Aurangzeb said.
“I appeal to citizens, that for god’s sake don’t come out of your houses,” she said adding that wearing a face mask was made mandatory in affected cities.
She also announced that half of the staff in public and private offices will work remotely.
“It’s like a slow horror movie, constantly creeping up behind you,” said Ayishm Ahmed Khan Burki, a 22-year-old student who transferred her courses from Lahore to the capital Islamabad after suffering from allergies and asthma.
“Everyone has a right to clean air,” she told AFP.
