LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced a temporary ban on public entry to parks, zoos, museums, and sports facilities amid an alarming smog crisis.
According to a notification issued by the Environment Protection Department, this restriction will be effective until November 17.
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The ban on Punjab parks due to smog applies across major divisions, including Gujranwala, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad.
Authorities have enforced these measures to protect public health amid worsening air quality conditions in the region.
Those who attempt to violate the orders will be punished under section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Moreover, the government has also ordered the immediate suspension of all activities in schools across the province, days after announcing the closure of all schools up to the higher secondary level in key divisions across the province due to hazardous smog levels.
The activities that have been banned include parent-teacher meetings, school trips, sports activities and any other school gatherings or on-campus events.
The air quality index (AQI) in the provincial capital reached 860 on IQAir’s real-time list of most polluted cities today (Friday), which later dipped to 569 by 1pm but remained well within the hazardous zone.
Life in Punjab’s capital remains severely impacted by rising smog levels, with air quality hovering above the healthy levels.