LHC orders to close schools, colleges on Saturdays in smog-hit districts of Punjab

Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered to close schools and colleges on Saturdays in smog-hit districts of Punjab.

LHC also ordered the introduction of a work-from-home policy for two days a week.

The directives from the LHC Justice Shahid Karim came during today’s hearing pertaining to measures taken by the Punjab government to control air pollution that has reached dangerous levels in recent days.

Justice Karim said: “All schools and colleges will remain closed on Saturdays … Work from-home policy should be followed twice a week.”

Justice Karim stated that Commissioner Lahore has been unable to control the smog in the city.

“Whenever Commissioner Lahore comes here, he makes promises that he cannot keep,” Justice Karim added.

The judge also ordered the interim Punjab government to remove DCs in six districts.

“Commissioner Lahore has failed completely in controlling smog. He talks big but nothing happens on the ground. Just a notification is issued to shut everything,” he remarked.

Justice Karim also ordered the immediate removal of deputy commissioners in Sheikhupura Jhang, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Nankana and Bahawalnagar.

The judge remarked 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 of general environment.

Eastern Punjab has been lately hit with a worsening smog crisis, with Lahore’s Air Quality Index at 134.

The Punjab caretaker government imposed a smog emergency on November 1 in the province following the LHC’s directive to take immediate measures to rein in the hazardous air quality.