The caretaker Punjab government has announced that winter vacations would be observed in the province from December 18, 2023, to Jan 1, 2024, as the province fights smog.

Interim Punjab CM Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision in a post on X after holding a meeting with experts and govt officials to address the smog challenge in Punjab on Thursday.

“With an improved Air Quality Index (AQI), no restrictions are planned for the upcoming weekend. Additionally, winter vacations for children will commence from Dec 18, 2023, to Jan 1, 2024.

The decision comes after the interim Sindh government announced that educational institutions in the province would be closed from December 22 to December 31 for winter vacation.

It merits here to mention that the province is fighting smog.

Last week, the Lahore High Court ordered the closure of all commercial activities in the provincial metropolis by 10pm during the whole week as a measure to control smog.

Moreover, the government was working with the World Bank to address the issues of smog and environmental pollution.