Due to extreme cold weather in Pakistan's Punjab province, at least 36 children have tragically passed away from pneumonia in the last week. As a result, the government has taken decisive action by imposing a ban on morning assemblies in schools until January 31. This move comes in response to a surge in the number of pneumonia cases among school children, in addition to the 36 deaths caused by the illness. Furthermore, classes for nursery, prep, and playgroup have been canceled until January 19 to protect young children from the severe weather.

Officials have also issued health guidelines, advising children to wear masks, wash their hands regularly, and use warm clothes to prevent pneumonia. With a staggering 8 out of 10 children at Lahore's Children's Hospital suffering from pneumonia, it is crucial to take these preventive measures seriously. In a worrying trend, last year 990 children died of pneumonia in Punjab, drawing grave concern over the rise of cases among children in the province. In response to this dire situation, Punjab's Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has consulted with senior doctors to implement additional preventive measures and ensure the safety of children during this cold weather.