LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has proposed a policy of work-from-home, school closures, and a complete shutdown of commercial activities to combat the severe smog and reduce health risks in the city.
During a hearing on petitions related to smog mitigation, Justice Shahid Karim suggested a policy of two work-from-home days per week, two school closure days, and a complete shutdown of commercial activities on Sundays. He proposed this policy as the city grapples with deteriorating air quality.
Justice Karim noted that similar strategies were implemented last year and urged the environmental commission to convene and formulate a decision, as various departments submitted reports during the session.
The court ordered a crackdown on heavy vehicles emitting smoke in and around Lahore, directing inspections of buses at terminals and urging motorway police to assess vehicle fitness. Justice Karim raised concerns about the effectiveness of the “Green Lockdown” policy, suggesting it might merely transfer pollution from one area to another.
He remarked that last year’s successful approach included two work-from-home days, school closures on Friday and Saturday, adjusted market hours, and a complete Sunday shutdown of commercial activities, indicating that a return to such measures may be necessary.
Moreover, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) lawyer informed the court that an inquiry into the city’s 19 underpasses is complete, with maintenance responsibilities and measures to prevent LED light theft assigned to the Punjab Highway Authority (PHA).
Earlier on Wednesday, The Punjab government had announced to impose green lockdown in different areas if Lahore to fight air pollution and smog.
The green lockdown will be enforced in different areas of Lahore, including Davis Road, Kashmir Road, Abbott Road, and Shimla Pahari, and will remain in effect until November 4.
