LAHORE – Parts of Punjab are faincg hazardous level air pollution and Punjab schools could shut their doors before the winter holidays officially begin.
With Lahore once again battling some of the world’s worst air pollution and several other Punjab cities recording extraordinary AQI readings, demands for immediate school closures are gathering momentum.
As hazardous smog spreads across the province, attention has shifted to the possibility of schools being closed before the scheduled winter break. Social media platforms have been flooded with claims that the Punjab government may advance winter vacations to protect students from harmful pollution.
However, there is no confirmed government decision to bring forward the holidays, and educational institutions have not been directed to begin an early winter break under a new province-wide order.
Parents are particularly concerned about younger children who must travel to school through smog-filled streets, often during early morning hours when visibility and air quality can be especially poor. Calls for temporary closures have also intensified in heavily polluted districts, with concerned citizens urging authorities to prioritise children’s health.
Lahore AQI Hits 639, Multan Records Shocking 971
The pollution emergency intensified on Tuesday, November 10, as Lahore continued to struggle with severely contaminated air. According to air-quality figures reported on Tuesday morning, Lahore recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 303, placing the provincial capital in the very unhealthy category.
| Location | Reported AQI |
|---|---|
| Multan | 971 |
| Bahawalpur | 796 |
| Lahore – Gulberg II | 639 |
| Lahore – Syed Maratib Ali Road | 475 |
| Lahore – Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate | 470 |
| Lahore – Barki Road | 370 |
| Lahore – Allama Iqbal Town | 342 |
| Lahore – City Average | 303 |
Meanwhile, the provincial administration led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has intensified its campaign against pollution. Anti-smog guns and specialised water-spraying vehicles have been deployed across major urban roads as part of efforts to reduce airborne pollutants.
Authorities are also taking action against industries and brick kilns found violating environmental regulations. Despite these interventions, hazardous pollution continues to affect large parts of Punjab, raising questions about whether additional restrictions may become necessary if conditions deteriorate further.
Lahore’s air quality reaches ‘Hazardous Level’ as AQI hits 563 amid smog
