LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered that all educational institutions will remain closed on Saturdays till the end of January to help curb smog, which is causing severe health issues in the affected areas of Punjab, especially its capital.
The LHC issued a written order for issuance of a notification by the provincial government to close schools, colleges, and universities on Saturdays till Jan end.
Justice Shahid Karim issued a written order on the petitions seeking a remedy for smog, which mentions that the Punjab government is taking steps, including two-days-a-week work from home for the government and private employees.
The order, however, said the word ‘gym closure’ should be excluded from the notification, and the Meteorological Department should take such officers to task who did not take action to curb smog in the province.
Meanwhile, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached alarming levels with a record 330 particulate meters at 7am.
According to the AQI, the air in central Punjab, including Lahore and Faisalabad, is still highly polluted because of smog.
