LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday notification for a weekly three-day school closure – due to alarming levels of smog in the province.
بریکنگ
لاہور ہائیکورٹ میں اسموگ کے تدارک کے لیے سماعت
پنجاب حکومت نے اسکولوں کی چھٹیوں کا نوٹفکیشن پیش کردیا
لاہور کے اسکولوں میں جمعہ اور ہفتہ کو چھٹی ہوگی نوٹفکیشن pic.twitter.com/LKuzO4Q6a6— MM News (@mmnewsdottv) December 7, 2022
The move by the Punjab government came just a day after Lahore High Court’s proceedings on smog, Chief Minister Parvez Elahi announced the imposition of an environmental emergency, ordering government officials to ensure the implementation of the plan to curb alarming levels of smog in Lahore and other cities of the province.
Also read: Smog causing bronchitis, asthma, cough, allergies and even cancer: Report
The CM said that they have declared smog a ‘calamity’ and would take strict action to curb the causes of smog. The CM added that they have already banned the burning of crop remains, which contribute significantly to raising smog levels and would take strict action against people violating the ban.
The CM ordered the department of environmental protection, transport, industries, and government executives to control the situation. He added that the government would not tolerate violation of the smog SOPs.
Also read: Smog: LHC hints at closure of schools, work from home
The Lahore High Court on Tuesday had ordered the government attorney to present the notification of the three-day closure in schools. The court had observed that the provincial government seemed non-serious to curb smog. He regretted that the smog had been increasing instead of eliminating.
The judge directed the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to make rules to enhance punishment on the brick kilns and industries for violating the laws and policies.
