Lahore schools to remain closed three days a week due to hazardous smog
The schools in Lahore will remain closed for three days a week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, due to prevailing smog situation in the city, according to notification issued on Wednesday.
The decision came after the Lahore High Court has directed the Punjab government to keep schools in Lahore closed for three days a week due to the worsening smog situation.
The decision will be applicable to all public and private schools of provincial capital.
“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,” the notification reads.
The chief executive officer of the District Education Authority (DEA), Lahore and the concerned heads would manage the distribution of homework to the students during the closure of schools.
A day earlier, Punjab government declared the provincial capital Lahore as a calamity-hit area and imposed an ‘environmental emergency’ due to the hazardous smog.
Taking to twitter, Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervez Elahi called smog a ‘disaster’. He ordered to ensure effective implementation of the plan formulated to reduce smog.
Punjab CM went on to say that anti-smog squads will be checking vehicles in the city emitting smoke and actions will be taken against them. “This campaign will last for three months,” Elahi added.
“A ban has also been imposed on the burning of crop residues across the province,” Elahi said, warning that strict action will be taken against those violating the orders.
The chief minister added that modern harvesters would be provided to farmers in a bid to prevent them from stubble burning, while brick kilns will be transferred to zigzag technology.
