LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Tuesday that the Punjab government has decided to observe a four-day holiday in the province’s areas hit hard by smog.
In a media conference, the CM said that the holidays will be observed from Thursday (Iqbal Day — a national holiday) till Sunday, hoping that it would help curb smog.
The holiday will be observed in the Lahore Division — Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Nankana Sahib districts. It will also be applicable in Hafizabad and Gujranwala.
He added that the government was imposing a health emergency.
The provincial authorities had mulled in October to impose an additional weekly off, but as the situation improved, they decided otherwise, saying the situation would be monitored.
The IQ Air showed that the Air Quality Index of Lahore has spiked to 374, while Multan stood at 442، Pindi Bhattian’s AQI was at 257, and Rawalpindi’s 175.
An AQI of 101 to 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, while 151 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and 301 to 500 is hazardous.
The chief minister said that a national holiday would be observed on 9 November, and on 10 November, the schools and offices would be shut in Punjab.
Schools Closed in Punjab
Naqvi said schools are already closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but if a school is not closed this Saturday, then they would be asked to remain shut.
He said markets would be closed on Saturdays, and if the traders think it feasible, they can close shop on Friday as well.
Naqvi added that this is his appeal to the people: stay indoors for four days. The government has decided on this one-day holiday after deep deliberations.
