The Punjab administration has stated that schools in Lahore will be closed three days each week due to the deteriorating air quality.

Yesterday evening, the provincial government issued a notification to this effect.

“In compliance with the directions of the Honorable Lahore High Court, Lahore, in writ petition No. 227807/ 2018 vide order dated 02-12-2022, it is hereby notified that all Public and Private Schools in District Lahore shall remain closed every Friday and Saturday, in addition to the weekly holiday on Sunday, until further orders,” reads the notification.

Tuesday, the Lahore High Court requested that the provincial capital’s schools be closed for a minimum of three days every week.

Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC issued the order while considering environmental-related petitions in the public interest.

On Wednesday, the LHC judge ordered a provincial law officer to file the notification regarding the closure of schools with the court (today).

By the court’s directives, the School Education Department of Punjab issued a notice late on Tuesday, a copy of which was also handed to the LHC bench today.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority published a notice announcing the closure of private offices in the provincial capital two days per week (Friday and Saturday).

The order will be in effect from December 7 through January 15. During the specified period, employees may work from home, according to the notification.

Chief Minister of Punjab Parvez Elahi termed the pollution a “calamity” and ordered the effective implementation of a strategy to minimize smog in the province, as well as the control of the elements that created it.

The Environment Protection Department (EPD), the transport and industries departments, along with administrative officers, should go into the field to minimize smog, the prime minister stated, adding that failure to apply the current standard operating procedures will not be permitted.

He had stated that indiscriminate action should be taken against anyone who set fire to crop leftovers, a practice that is prohibited throughout the entire province.

Last week, the judge ruled that the government had failed to manage smog and ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to impose stricter penalties on brick kilns and companies that violate laws and policies.

Justice Karim observed that smog was causing health issues among individuals, particularly youngsters and the elderly.