The interim Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, announced on Wednesday that schools and offices closed throughout the province on Saturday, November 18, as part of intensified efforts to control Air pollution.

The air quality, indicated by the concentration of PM 2.5, a type of fine particulate matter, reached 195 today, which is considered unhealthy. Earlier in the week, it peaked at 400, classified as hazardous.

Naqvi’s announcement, made during a press conference in the provincial capital, follows a directive from Lahore High Court’s Justice Shahid Karim on Monday instructing the government to shut all schools and colleges in Punjab on Saturdays due to the authorities’ failure to control smog.

Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city with a population of 11 million, has consistently ranked as the world’s most polluted city. Residents have been advised to stay indoors and wear masks, as many are experiencing difficulty breathing.

Last week, smog-affected areas observed a four-day holiday from Friday to Sunday, during which some businesses were initially closed but later allowed to resume operations as rainfall helped to clear the Air.

Naqvi addressed journalists, acknowledging the increasing air pollution. He highlighted that 90% of crop burning in winter occurs outside Pakistan, contributing significantly to smog. To address this issue, the interim Chief Minister stated that farmers would receive support to acquire modern machinery, and additional measures are being implemented to mitigate the situation.

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