The escalating smog crisis in Punjab has prompted the government to declare a health emergency in Lahore and Multan, the two cities most affected by severe air pollution.
Officials are intensifying efforts to tackle the pollution and protect public health.
Lahore continues to rank as the most polluted city globally, while Multan holds the title of the worst air quality among cities in Pakistan, according to the Swiss organization IQ Air.
On Friday, Senior Minister for Information and Environment Protection, Marriyum Aurangzeb, announced an extension of school closures in regions impacted by the smog.
“Schools will stay closed for an additional week due to the dangerous air quality,” she stated during a press briefing.
The minister also indicated that colleges and universities would transition to online learning to safeguard students’ health.
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