The Punjab government has begun taking action against private schools forcing students to arrive before 8:45 a.m., as part of an aggressive plan to curb the province’s worsening smog crisis. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that the Chief Minister has also ordered the shutdown of all under-construction buildings, roads, and sites that fail to follow environmental SOPs.
Aurangzeb warned the Private Schools Association that strict penalties will be imposed on schools violating the official timing. She further advised children, elderly citizens, and patients to remain indoors during peak smog hours—12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m.—to avoid hazardous exposure.
The minister reported a major decline in stubble-burning incidents, attributing the progress to drone-based surveillance. She stated that Punjab is moving toward a climate-resilient model, applying zero tolerance toward construction pollution, vehicle emissions, and plastic use.
Night patrols by Assistant Commissioners, Police, and Agriculture Department teams have intensified across districts. Meanwhile, green zone mapping has been completed, and the province’s environmental monitoring system is now fully operational.
