LAHORE: As Punjab plans to request the Foreign Office to take up cross-border pollution with India, the provincial government has closed primary schools in Lahore this week, ostensibly to save children from the effects of hazardous air quality, exceeding levels deemed safe by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“In the wake of deteriorating air quality index and in light of order dated 03.11.2024 issued by director general [of] Environ­mental Protection Agency Punjab while exercising powers conferred under… the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997, it is notified that all classes up to 5th grade in all schools (public and private) located in…Lahore shall remain closed for one week w.e.f 04.11.2024 till 09.11.2024 (Saturday),” said a notification issued by the provincial education department.

The closure will be extended if the situation does not improve.

In a press conference on Sunday, senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb cautioned citizens about smog from India, saying winds would continue to blow towards Lahore for at least one week.

The provincial minister said easterly winds from Amritsar and Chandigarh were spiking the air quality index in Lahore to over 1,000 for the past two days.

Ms Aurangzeb, who holds the environment portfolio in the cabinet, said Punjab would write to the Foreign Office on Monday (today) to take up the issue with New Delhi.

“The wind from India towards Lahore…is taking the smog to dangerous levels and the wind is likely to sustain its direction for at least next week… People should take care of themselves by avoiding unnecessarily coming out of their houses. The elderly and children should be particularly careful…,” she said.

The government plans to use the week-long break to “conduct research”. “Authorities will use the week to conduct research, mapping, and studies to reassess and determine if extended school closures are needed,” she was quoted by the state-run APP as saying.

In response to a question, she said the government would write to the Foreign Off­ice on Monday to approach Indian autho­rities for talks on joint efforts to curb smog.