LAHORE (Daily Point) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered the closure of all educational institutions every Saturday until the end of January due to the increasing smog crisis in Lahore.
Justice Shahid Karim, presiding over petitions addressing the severe smog conditions in Lahore and other parts of Punjab, issued a written order directing deputy commissioners and government bodies to issue notifications for the shutdown of schools, colleges, and universities on Saturdays. The decision comes after consultations with the member judicial water commission.
The written order also highlighted the Punjab government’s efforts to facilitate two days of remote work per week. Concurrently, the court suspended a portion of the government’s notification pertaining to gym closures, emphasizing that the notification, originally issued under COVID-19 provisions, is no longer applicable.
The court order further instructed the environment department to take departmental action against officers who failed to address the smog issue. Additional hearings on appeals for smog eradication are scheduled for November 22.
Despite these measures, Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) has surged to alarming levels, reclaiming its position as the world’s most polluted city with an AQI of 393 recorded around Monday noon. The city administration has urged citizens to minimize unnecessary travel, and medical experts recommend wearing masks when venturing outside.
To combat smog, civic authorities are actively spraying water at various locations within the city. Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, on Sunday, made mask-wearing mandatory across the province for a week due to the deteriorating air quality in smog-affected districts. In a public message, Naqvi stressed the collective responsibility of prioritizing health and urged people to adhere to safety guidelines for a healthier community.
