Court orders 'work from home' over prevailing air pollution in Lahore

Lahore: The Lahore High Court directed the government to issue notification to work with 50% staff in private offices due to smog as Lahore once again topped the air quality and pollution ranking index in the world Thursday. 

According to details, a bench of the high court comprises of Justice Shahid Karim heard the plea over prevailing air pollution in the city.

The petition was filed by citizen Farooq. Shiraz Zaka Advocate appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioner.

During the hearing, Justice Shahid Karim has ordered 50% employees of private companies to work from home. The court's order will be implemented in the areas around the Lahore division with prevailing smog rate.

Justice Shahid Karim remarked that government should also consider over curtailing attendance of employees to 50 percent in its departments.

The Judicial Environmental Commission in its report, has recommended closure of the schools in areas having AIR Quality Index rating at 400. The Commission has recommended shutdown of industrial units in area having 500 rating at the AQI. Declaration of a state of emergency has also been recommended to control smog and environmental pollution.

The court also directed the Smog Committee to forward its daily report to Judicial Water and Environmental Commission.