In a decisive move to combat Lahore’s escalating smog crisis, Dr Imran Hameed Sheikh, Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has directed that all public and private special education institutions send home students whose health conditions put them at increased risk from the city’s hazardous air quality. The mandate, effective from November 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025, targets students suffering from conditions exacerbated by pollution, including respiratory diseases like asthma and chest infections, cardiovascular diseases such as angina and coronary artery disease, and immunodeficiency disorders like Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID).
Schools are expected to provide alternative learning options, including online classes, to ensure these students continue their education safely. The directive comes as part of broader efforts by the Punjab government to protect vulnerable populations during this period of acute smog, which has been declared a life-threatening disaster.
Dr Sheikh’s statement clarified recent media reports that incorrectly suggested a full three-month closure of special education institutions. Instead, the directive exclusively covers students whose health conditions are severely impacted by poor air quality, underscoring a selective yet vital approach to safeguarding public health without fully interrupting educational services.
In parallel, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is leading a provincial response to mitigate the smog’s impact. Measures include the temporary closure of high-emission industrial units and the implementation of stricter environmental regulations aimed at reducing air pollution and protecting the region’s most vulnerable populations.
Lahore’s air quality has steadily declined in recent years, prompting increased governmental intervention. Environmental advocates hope these new policies will create lasting change, while health experts caution that the smog crisis demands ongoing, rigorous action to protect public health across Punjab.