LHC orders to close educational institutes amid smog

The Lahore High Court (LHC) orders the authorities to close educational institutes amid smog. According to the court rule, all educational institutes will remain closed on all Saturdays till the end of January.

LHC ordered the deputy commissioner and other government institutions to issue notifications closing schools, colleges, and universities on Saturdays.

LHC has ordered to keep all educational institutions closed on all #Saturdays until the end of January, owing to the relentless heavy smog.#SamaaTV #LHC #Smog pic.twitter.com/dwt7M13I93
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) November 20, 2023

Click here to read the updates on heavy rain reducing smog intensity in Lahore

Justice Shahid Karim issued a written decision on the petition filed to address the thick smog that has engulfed Lahore and other regions of Punjab.

According to the written court order, the Punjab government is taking steps to allow employees to work from home two days per week.

Lahore was the most polluted city in the world before rain. Currently, it has a top-fourth ranking as the most polluted city in the world with 203 AQI.

Meanwhile, the air quality index of Lahore has risen to alarming levels returning the city to the top rank as the most polluted global city. In this regard, LHC ordered the Lahore administrators to close educational institutes and take all necessary steps to lessen the effects of toxic smog.

LHC orders to close educational institutes amid smog

The court order also instructed the environment department to apply departmental action against officers who did not take action against smog. A hearing on the appeals for the removal of smog will be held on November 22.

The local administration of Lahore has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Medical professionals have encouraged individuals to wear masks when leaving their houses. Civil authorities are spraying water at several points throughout the city to remove smog.

The interim CM of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has already made it mandatory for civilians to wear masks across the province for a week.