Lahore, November 23, 2023 : On Thursday, Punjab’s Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi declared that, in response to the deteriorating smog conditions, schools, colleges, and all educational institutions in 10 districts of Punjab will now observe an additional two-day closure each week—specifically on Fridays and Saturdays.
During a press conference held in Lahore, the chief minister disclosed that the directive would be implemented in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Sargodha, and Sahiwal divisions. Additionally, he revealed plans to install air-purifying towers in Lahore and provide a subsidy for 10,000 students to acquire electric motorbikes.
The Chief Minister also mentioned the possibility of artificial rain on November 29 if clouds are in proximity to Lahore. Furthermore, he announced that markets would commence operations at 3 pm on both Friday and Saturday.
On Sundays, all types of markets will experience closure, and restaurants are scheduled to open at 3 pm, he added.
The declaration follows the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) recent directive on Monday, instructing the closure of all educational institutions in Punjab on Saturdays until the conclusion of January as a measure to combat smog.
Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC issued a written order in response to petitions filed by citizens advocating for actions to address air pollution in the country. In the comprehensive order, the judge mandated the provincial government to release a notification for the shutdown of schools, colleges, and universities on Saturdays until the last week of January.
Additionally, the order emphasized that the government is implementing measures to facilitate two days of remote work per week.
