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The Punjab government has announced revised school timings starting Monday in response to the worsening smog across the province, with all schools now opening at 8:45am. The decision comes as air quality levels in Lahore and nearby districts have reached hazardous levels for three consecutive days.
According to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI), Lahore ranked as the world’s most polluted city for the past three days, with readings soaring to 412, prompting health warnings and an urgent crackdown on pollution sources. The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a high alert across eastern districts, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Khanpur.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia warned that the intensity of smog is likely to increase from November to mid-December, according to forecasts from the Meteorological Department. Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirmed the updated school timings through a post on his official X account.
Commenting on the smog crisis, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated during a media briefing that the province now uses a comprehensive digital and AI-based forecasting system developed with historical data. The system, accessible through the Air Quality Portal, provides daily air quality reports released in advance by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
