LAHORE – The Punjab government has allowed opening of public and private schools in Murree district on considerable improvement in the air quality.
The Punjab has ordered closure of schools up to higher secondary level across the Punjab till November 17, 2024 due to worsening of smog. Besides measures like making masks mandatory and installation of air purifiers at shopping malls, the Punjab also closed down parks and recreational points, revised timings of markets and restricted outdoor activities, especially in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Multan divisions.
However, the recent rains considerably improved air quality by washing away hazardous pollutants from the atmosphere in Murree and Galliyat.
Taking into account the reduction in Air Quality Index (AQI), the Punjab government has allowed opening of schools for all classes in Murree district.
“District Murree is being exempted from the said restrictions (closure/shifting to online mode by schools upto higher secondary level) on the basis of low AQI”, reads a notification issued by Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, Director General of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab.
