LAHORE
\nThe Lahore High Court on Monday issued directives to all schools and colleges in Punjab to remain closed on November 18 to curb smog, as it recommended a two-day remote work for employers.
\nThe Punjab caretaker government imposed a \u201csmog emergency\u201d on Nov 1 in the province following the LHC\u2019s directive to take immediate measures to rein in the hazardous air quality, which is in the \u2018poor\u2019 rating bracket.
\nDuring hearing in the matter, a single-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Karim observed the provincial government is responsible for the prevailing state of smog. Eastern Punjab has lately been plagued with a smog crisis, with Lahore\u2019s Air Quality Index at 134.
\nThe Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to report daily air quality. It tells how clean or polluted the air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for people. Currently, Karachi\u2019s AQI is 158 and Peshawar\u2019s AQI is 194. while hearing a petition about smog,
\nJustice Karim said: \u201cAll schools and colleges will remain closed on Saturdays \u2026 Work from home policy should be followed twice a week,\u201d. He further Commissioner Lahore has been unable to control the smog in the city. \u201cWhenever Commissioner Lahore comes here, he makes promises that he cannot keep,\u201d Justice Karim said. The judge ordered District Commissioner Jhang, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Nankana, Bahawalnagar and Sheikhupura to be replaced immediately, adding that the videos of crop residue burning were upsetting.
\n\u201cChief Secretary Punjab should issue notification to transfer these officers,\u201d Justice Karim said while addressing provincial government law officer during adjudication. The judge also recommended to the government to provide electric motorcycles for their local staff. Later, hearing of the matter was adjourned till Wednesday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE The Lahore High Court on Monday issued directives to all schools and colleges in Punjab to remain closed on November 18 to curb smog, as it recommended a two-day remote work for employers. The Punjab caretaker government imposed a \u201csmog emergency\u201d on Nov 1 in the province following the LHC\u2019s directive to take immediate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":310426,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1669],"class_list":{"0":"post-367822","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news","8":"tag-lhc"},"yoast_head":"\n