Due to the worsening pollution conditions in the city, the Lahore High Court on Tuesday ordered the government to extend the winter break for Lahore’s schools and institutions by an additional seven days.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) heard petitions seeking its involvement in the control of smog on Tuesday and decided to close the educational institutions.
The director general of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) was also called before the court for the subsequent hearing.
The court stated that the fog is being somewhat managed throughout the session. The court ruled that “the government is accountable for the prevention of the smog.”
Due to the smog, the LHC ruled earlier this month that businesses and schools be closed every Friday and Saturday for two days.
The workers may continue to work from home, according to the PDMA’s notification. The decree is in effect through January 15, 2023.
“With effect from 07.12.2022 to 15.01.2023, all private offices run by businesses, private sector organizations, and other people inside the boundaries of the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation must be closed every Friday and Saturday. However, some of their employees may telecommute “the PDMA letter said.
Meanwhile, School Education Department’s notification stated that the decision to close the schools weekly is applied to all the private and government schools of District Lahore.
“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,” stated the notification.
It also noted that the chief executive officer of the District Education Authority (DEA), Lahore and the concerned heads shall manage the distribution of homework to the students during the closure of schools.
