LAHORE: As part of measures to curb the inverse consequences of smog, Lahore High Court issues orders to cease all commercial activities by 10:00 pm on weekdays. Orders were also issued to seal any schools open on Fridays, against special directives.
Chief justice LHC Shahid Karim took note of these public interest petitions.
Earlier, the court had issued directives that all commercial markets and restaurants will close by 10 pm, and on Sunday, markets will remain open from 2 pm to 10 pm.
The court observed that closing business hours for markets and restaurants will be 11 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
School’s closure order in effect
Earlier, in a hearing the LHC had directed provincial government to keep all schools closed for three days a week, adding that strict action will be taken against people who violate the order.
“The order will remain effective till 15 January 2023”, stated the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), adding “the institutes, schools, and other entities in the jurisdiction of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation (LMC) will work four days in the week and get off from Friday to Sunday”, as per notification.
Chief Minister Punjab, Chaudhary Pervez Elahi had said, environmental emergencies have been imposed in Lahore and other cities of Punjab.
In past few days, Lahore has experienced the worst air quality levels with the city blanketed in smog.
According to iqair.com, the air quality index in the city was at 149 at 2:30pm today which is classified as “very unhealthy.”
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