The Punjab government is extending school closures for another week due to hazardous smog levels, according to Ary News. Public and private schools, as well as tuition centers, will now remain closed until November 24.

Cities across India and Pakistan are struggling with dense smog that has worsened air quality, with authorities declaring a "health crisis" in the latter's Punjab province.

Air quality in Lahore reached hazardous levels this week, while other cities in South Asia also battle toxic pollution.

A Pakistani province declared a health emergency Friday due to smog and imposed a shutdown in two major cities. Smog has choked Punjab for weeks, sickening nearly 2 million people and shrouding vast swathes of the province in a toxic haze.

Pakistan's Punjab declared a health emergency due to toxic smog on Friday, banning construction, shutting schools for another week and moving universities online, with a three-day lockdown possible, the province's senior minister said on Friday.