The government of Punjab is contemplating the introduction of an additional weekly holiday for all private and government schools. This significant announcement was made as part of a broader initiative to alleviate the smog problem in the provincial capital. Lahore’s Commissioner, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, has decided to close schools every Wednesday until further notice.
In addition to this, school staff have been instructed to work from home. The announcement also indicated that markets, banks, private institutions, clubs, and hotels are expected to remain closed, leading to a complete shutdown in Lahore every Wednesday.
Punjab Considerd Weekly Holiday 2023
This decision comes on the heels of a directive from the Lahore High Court (LHC) last week, which ordered a halt to all new construction projects for six months, from October to March, due to the alarming levels of air pollution.
However, contrary to earlier media reports, the Punjab government has clarified that no final decisions have been made at this point. The government stated that it had insightful discussions with a panel of experts regarding smog reduction. These experts proposed various measures, which will be thoroughly examined and deliberated upon during the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
The government also noted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) is currently under control due to recent rainfall. However, the plan for maintaining and improving the AQI will be determined after the Cabinet meeting.
Update
Public reactions to this announcement have been mixed. Some believe that this is a good decision for students given the potential dangers of smog, while others argue that the root cause of smog should be addressed rather than depriving students of a day of studies. There are also calls for a two-day weekend for all schools in Pakistan, regardless of the smog situation.
This development underscores the government’s commitment to addressing environmental issues and ensuring the health and safety of its citizens. However, it also highlights the need for more comprehensive and long-term solutions to the persistent problem of air pollution.
