In response to the persistent smog in the province, the Punjab government has opted to shut down schools on Fridays and Saturdays.
Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, made this announcement during a press conference.
It is noteworthy that this decision will exclusively pertain to the divisions of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Sargodha, and Sahiwal.
The interim Chief Minister also revealed plans to set up air-purifying towers in Lahore. Additionally, in a significant development, Mohsin Naqvi announced that the provincial government would subsidize 10,000 electric bikes for students.
He mentioned that the Chief Secretary has proposed offering e-bikes to government employees through a leasing arrangement. Concerning the closure of markets, the caretaker Chief Minister expressed his reluctance for a complete shutdown, specifying that they will be closed until 3 PM only on Fridays and Saturdays. Nevertheless, all types of markets will observe a complete closure every Sunday.
On Fridays and Saturdays, restaurants are prohibited from opening before 3 PM. Furthermore, Mall Road will be exclusive to cyclists from morning until 5 PM every Sunday as a measure to address smog.
The interim Chief Minister emphasized the importance of adhering to the government’s directive to wear masks consistently and encouraged everyone to do so.
