Lahore (Staff Report/Agencies): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday ordered the government to extend the winter holidays across schools and colleges of Lahore for seven more days due to the worsening smog situation in the city.
While hearing petitions seeking LHC’s intervention to control the smog, the court that observed that the smog is being controlled to an extent. “The government is responsible for the prevention of the smog,” remarked the court.
The case has been adjourned till Friday.
Earlier, the LHC ordered closing the schools and offices for two days — Friday and Saturday — weekly owing to the smog situation.
The notification, issued by the PDMA, stated that the staff may continue to work from home. The order will remain effective till January 15, 2023.
“All private offices being operated by companies, private sector entities and other individuals, within the territorial limits of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation, shall remain closed on every Friday, and Saturday, with effect from 07.12.2022 until 15.01.2023. However, their staff may work from home,” stated the PDMA notification.
According to School Education Department’s notification, the decision to close the schools weekly is applied to all the private and government schools of District Lahore.
“In compliance with the directions of Hon'ble Lahore High Court, Lahore, in Writ Petition No. 227807/ 2018 vide order dated 02-12-2022, it is notified that owing to prevailing SMOG condition, all Public & Private Schools in District Lahore shall remain closed on every Friday & Saturday, in addition to the weekly holiday on Sunday till further orders,” read the notification.
Lahore is one of the most polluted cities on the planet. Its air quality index is higher compared to the other cities across the country. Several thousand cases of lung diseases are caused by air pollution. Unfortunately, there is no long-term plan in place for things to get any better.
