Private schools continue regular timings as Lahore smog reac

Private schools in Lahore continue regular timings despite hazardous AQI, while government schools adopt revised schedules Punjab revised timings for public and private schools in 2025, but October 2026 notification covers only government institutions despite AQI crossing 500 LAHORE: Private schools in Lahore continue to operate on their regular schedules despite hazardous air pollution, while government schools have already adopted revised winter timings, marking a departure from last year's policy when the Punjab government imposed smog-related opening restrictions on both public and private educational institutions. The difference comes as Lahore recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 535 at approximately 8am on November 2, with PM2.5 concentrations reaching 343 micrograms per cubic metre. The reading placed the city's air quality in the hazardous category during the hours when students travel to school. Several private schools continue to begin classes around 8am and conclude between 2pm and 3pm, while government schools have been operating under revised winter schedules since October 16. On October 14, the Punjab School Education Department issued a notification introducing winter timings for government schools across the province, effective from October 16, 2026, until March 31, 2027. Under the revised schedule, single-shift government schools operate from 8:45am to 1:30pm from Monday to Thursday, with classes ending at 12:30pm on Fridays. Separate timings apply to double-shift institutions. However, the notification specifically covers government schools and does not prescribe equivalent opening or closing times for private educational institutions. The arrangement differs from the measures introduced during the corresponding smog season in 2025, when the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency directed all public and private schools, including special education institutions, to open no earlier than 8:45am. The order, issued on November 1, 2025, came into effect on November 3 and remained applicable until January 31, 2026. The environmental agency cited early-morning traffic and accumulated atmospheric pollution as reasons for revising school timings. The measure was intended to limit exposure to pollution during morning commuting hours and reduce traffic congestion. The directive also prescribed penalties ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs500,000 for a first violation and Rs600,000 to Rs1 million for subsequent violations. Unlike the 2025 order, the October 2026 notification does not explicitly extend the revised opening schedule to private schools. Institutions maintaining earlier timings are therefore not necessarily violating the latest public-school notification. The difference in coverage has emerged as Lahore once again experiences severe pollution during the morning hours. On October 26, 2025, Lahore recorded an AQI of approximately 349 at 9:43am, placing air quality in the hazardous category. The government subsequently introduced the 8:45am opening restriction for all schools from November 3. This year, the AQI reached 535 at 8am on November 2, exceeding that particular reading recorded shortly before last year's restrictions were introduced. On October 28, Lahore was ranked the world's most polluted major city on IQAir's live ranking, with an AQI reading of 296 at 10am. Pollution levels deteriorated further as November began. However, monthly figures indicate that Lahore's average air quality during October 2026 was comparatively better than during the corresponding period last year. According to figures shared by Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Lahore's average AQI stood at 180.5 in October 2026, compared with 204.6 in October 2025. An analysis by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) also found that PM2.5 concentrations declined compared with October last year, although much of the improvement was associated with more favourable weather conditions. The analysis reported that PM2.5 concentrations exceeded Pakistan's prescribed daily limit throughout October, while Lahore experienced 16 consecutive days of unhealthy air quality between October 16 and October 31. The figures indicate that despite an improvement in monthly averages, the city continued to experience prolonged periods of unhealthy air, followed by hazardous pollution episodes at the beginning of November. Hospitals report over 35,000 patients with respiratory complaints Meanwhile, hospitals across Lahore have reported a rise in patients seeking treatment for respiratory and flu-like illnesses during the final week of October and the beginning of November. According to hospital sources cited in reports published on November 2, more than 35,000 patients visited six major government hospitals in Lahore during the preceding seven days with respiratory and flu-like complaints. Mayo Hospital reported more than 11,000 patients with flu-like symptoms, while Services Hospital received over 9,800 patients and Jinnah Hospital more than 1,000. Thousands of additional patients sought treatment at Lahore General Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Children's Hospital. The reported complaints included coughing, sore throats, fever, runny noses, breathing difficulties and body aches. Medical practitioners have also reported the circulation of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 infections, meaning the increase in respiratory complaints cannot be attributed entirely to air pollution. However, exposure to high concentrations of fine particulate matter can aggravate existing respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis and respiratory allergies. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of PM2.5 pollution because their lungs are still developing, while prolonged exposure can worsen respiratory symptoms and increase the risk of complications. The inclusion of Children's Hospital among the institutions reporting respiratory and flu-like cases has brought attention to the health risks faced by younger residents during the smog season. The rise in hospital visits has coincided with deteriorating air quality across Lahore, particularly during the early morning hours when students travel to educational institutions. Outdoor school activities also face scrutiny Apart from school timings, outdoor activities at educational institutions remain another area of concern as pollution levels fluctuate between unhealthy and hazardous categories. In August 2026, the Punjab School Education Department issued instructions under its Pre-Smog Action Plan, directing public schools to monitor AQI readings before conducting outdoor exercise and restrict unnecessary exposure during periods of poor air quality. Schools were also advised to encourage the use of masks and take precautions to reduce students' exposure to polluted outdoor air. However, the available instructions do not establish whether equivalent requirements have been communicated to all private schools or how consistently such restrictions are being implemented. Morning assemblies, sports periods, playground activities and extracurricular events can increase students' exposure when conducted outdoors during periods of elevated pollution. Punjab's air quality monitoring platform advises vulnerable groups, including children, to limit outdoor exposure when pollution reaches dangerous levels. The difference between the 2025 and 2026 school directives remains significant because the earlier order established a uniform opening restriction for both public and private educational institutions, while the latest winter schedule applies specifically to government schools. Although Lahore's average AQI during October was lower than last year's figure, hazardous readings have again been recorded during school commuting hours, while hospitals have reported thousands of patients suffering from respiratory complaints. The October notification does not specify whether private schools will subsequently be required to adopt the revised 8:45am opening time. The publicly reviewed directives also do not clarify whether additional restrictions on outdoor activities will be imposed uniformly across public and private institutions as the smog season progresses.