Punjab Government Announces Special School Holidays Due to Smog Crisis

Punjab government announces holidays for vulnerable specific children due to Lahore smog crisis. In a significant public health measure, the Punjab government has decided to declare three months long holidays for already affected children in Lahore schools. This Lahore smog holidays initiative, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, aims to protect students with health conditions worsened by the severe smog impacting Lahore. This smog holidays Lahore announcement, made by Sania Ashiq, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Special Education, details the precautionary steps taken under the Punjab Environment Act of 1997 to safeguard children most at risk. You can further details regarding this smog holiday for special students decision, below from this page.

Smog Holidays For Special Students in Lahore

As we informed you above that the Punjab government has decided to give smog leave to the specific students in schools and these Lahore smog holidays will last for three months, from 1^st November 2024 to 31^st January 2025. According to Sania Ashiq, the decision was driven by the need to shield these vulnerable children from worsening environmental hazards in Lahore. “Health experts have declared Lahore’s air dangerous for ill children,” Sania Ashiq emphasized, adding that the prolonged exposure could lead to respiratory illnesses, chest infections and heightened allergy risks among students.

Protecting Special Children in Lahore Amid Rising Smog

The smog holiday notification specifically targets already sick students suffering from conditions such as Broncho-vascular diseases like asthma and other chest infections, cardiovascular issues including angina and coronary artery disease, and immunodeficiency disorders. Schools, both private and public, within Lahore city have been directed to ensure that children with these conditions are provided smog leave for the next three months (from 1^st November 2024 to 31^st January 2025).

Green Lockdown Measures to Tackle Smog

In addition to the school smog leave order, the Punjab government has imposed “green lockdown” in various areas of Lahore city to reduce pollution. Under this Lahore green lockdown directive, construction activities and the operation of ching chi rickshaws are temporarily banned in these designated zones. Restrictions are also in place for businesses, with BBQ hotels instructed to close by 08:00 PM, and marriage halls/ venues by 10:00 PM, in an effort to limit emissions that contribute to the thickening of smog.

Dr. Imran Hameed Sheikh, Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reinforced the critical nature of the green lockdown, categorizing the smog as a “life-threatening disaster.” He noted that the EPA, under directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is enforcing severe regulations on industrial emissions and pollution control in an attempt to improve the air quality crisis.

Alternative Educational Measures for Affected Students

Contrary to some recent reports of a blanket three month school holidays for children with certain condition, the official directive specifically applies to students with pre-existing health conditions that heighten their vulnerability to poor Lahore air quality. Schools have been advised to implement alternative educational methods, such as online classes, to make sure that these students can keep up academically without risking their health.

Punjab’s Ongoing Commitment to Environmental Safety

The decision reflects the Punjab government’s active stance on environmental safety, particularly as Lahore smog levels continue to rise, creating critical health hazards. By closing polluting units and enforcing stringent regulations on emissions, the government is actively working to reduce the smog’s impact on Lahore’s communities. The three month smog holiday for sick children demonstrates the government’s commitment to the welfare of its most vulnerable citizens during this environmental crisis.