The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered the closure of government and private schools thrice a week amid the increasing threat of smog in Punjab, especially in Lahore. The directions were given by the LHC while hearing the petitions moved for seeking the remedy to address the smog issue. The court in its verdict said that the Punjab government has utterly failed in addressing the smog issue and directed the provincial government to contact the centre for help in controlling the threat.

The provincial government has been asked for legislation to take down the industries’ omitting pollution. The draft for legislation in this context should be forwarded to the court as earliest. Furthermore, the Punjab government has been asked to impound the vehicles creating pollution in the environment. Vehicles found creating pollution should be impounded and auctioned after one notice, the LHC said in its directions to the provincial government.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP