Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered the Punjab’s interim government to close all schools and colleges across its smog-hit districts on Saturdays.
Hearing a plea regarding measures taken by the Punjab government to control air pollution, LHC judge Justice Shahid Karim ordered the government to introduce a work-from-home policy for two days a week.
Censuring the Lahore commissioner, the court observed that Commissioner Lahore has failed completely in controlling smog, adding that the officer claims big but do nothing.
Justice Karim also ordered the immediate removal of deputy commissioners in Sheikhupura, Jhang, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Nankana and Bahawalnagar, saying that the situation is very bad in these districts. He ordered the chief secretary of Punjab to immediately issue a notification to transfer the aforementioned officers. The judge also ordered the removal of the director general environment.
Justice Karim ordered the commission member to hold a meeting with the Punjab chief secretary and inform him about the court orders.
The court adjourned the hearing till Wednesday.
