Overview
- An official directive bars government and private schools from opening before 8:45 a.m., with violations carrying fines of Rs100,000 to Rs1 million.
- Reporting shows conflicting timelines for the order, with one official stating Nov. 3 to Jan. 31, 2026, and another notification citing effect from Oct. 27 through Apr. 15, 2026.
- Operational hours were set provincewide, including single-shift classes from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and adjusted Friday and double-shift schedules.
- Punjab expanded enforcement with an immediate ban on vehicles lacking green stickers or valid fitness certificates and a province-wide anti-smog drive targeting smoke-emitting heavy transport from Nov. 15.
- Air quality hit extreme levels, with IQAir reporting AQI readings of 500 in Dera Ghazi Khan and Kasur, as Pak-EPA also sealed non-compliant marble factories near Islamabad for environmental violations.