Punjab revises school timings amid worsening smog situation

The Punjab School Education Department on Sunday revised school timings across the province in response to the worsening smog situation, with daily classes now beginning at 8:45am.

According to an official notification issued by the department, schools will operate from 8:45am to 1:30pm between Monday and Thursday, while on Fridays, classes will conclude at 12:30pm. The change follows an announcement made earlier in the day by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat on his official X account.

The decision comes as Lahore once again ranked as the most polluted city in the world on Sunday. Data from air quality monitoring platform IQAir showed the city recording a US Air Quality Index (AQI) of 349 at 9:43am — categorised as “hazardous.”

The PM2.5 concentration in the air was measured at 249.5 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly 50 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended safe limit.

The thick layer of smog has reduced visibility across Lahore and surrounding districts, triggering widespread health complaints such as coughing, sore throats, and breathing difficulties.

Public health experts have urged residents to minimise outdoor exposure and wear protective masks when necessary, while authorities continue to monitor air quality and consider further measures to address the environmental crisis.