Following its succinct decree from the day before, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued a detailed judgment, prolonging the winter break due to ongoing smog issues.

In a thorough two-page order, Justice Shahid Karim directed the School Education Department (SED) Punjab to formally declare the extension of the winter holidays.

The order clearly states that this extension is applicable to all educational institutions, encompassing both schools and colleges.

This move follows the LHC’s decision to add an extra week to the winter break as a reaction to the increasing smog threat. These instructions were given out during hearings that dealt with petitions calling for solutions to the smog crisis.Before the court’s intervention, the Punjab government had already adopted a schedule of closing schools in Lahore for three days a week due to the intense smog. This step was in accordance with earlier LHC directives, aimed at reducing the smog’s impact on air quality in the city.

The heavy smog that blankets cities in early winter has been linked to several causes, such as emissions from vehicles, industrial activities, and the burning of crop remains.

It should be noted that educational institutions in Punjab are currently on their winter break from December 18 to 31, 2023. The court’s order has not yet been officially implemented by the interim government. Should an additional week of winter break be announced, educational institutions are expected to reopen on January 8, 2024.