LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered on Tuesday to extend winter vacations and close schools and colleges for another seven days on account of worsening smog situation.
Lahore Under Smog #AllamaIqbalInternationalAirport pic.twitter.com/3A5w3oitqc
— Salman Travel Diaries (@SalmanTDiaries) December 26, 2022
Justice Shahid Kareem of the LHC heard a petition on anti-smog measures and directed the educational institutions to extend winter holidays. The judge also directed officials to issue a notification in this regard in compliance with the court order.
It’s extremely painful to see what the people of Lahore are going through because of the smog. This is slow death. I urge @PunjabGovtpk @MoonisElahi6 to take immediate actions to undermine its effect. We urgently need the air purifier towers and start with smog test for vehicles. pic.twitter.com/9t06keQWh7
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) December 26, 2022
During the course of proceedings today, the LHC summoned the Provincial Disaster Management Authority’s (PDMA) director-general to the next hearing of separate pleas for efforts to control smog in Lahore.
Justice Shahid Kareem made it clear that he was dictating an order for winter holidays’ extension in secondary and higher education schools only.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till Friday (December 30).
It is pertinent to mention here that last week, Azhar Siddiqui pleaded with the court to order for extending the winter vacations till the second week of January. After arguments, the court directed the Members Judicial Commission to talk to the Education Department about extending holidays.
Initially, Punjab School Education Department announced winter vacations for all state-run and private schools across the province from December 24 to December 31, and with the latest announcement, the winter vacations will be extended till January 8.
