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LHC orders 2 weekly offs for Punjab school, colleges till Jan end to curb smog

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  • LHC issues directives on pleas filed against smog in Punjab.
  • Says Punjab National Calamities Act right law to limit restrictions.
  • Also orders two-day work from home in private sector.

LAHORE: In a bid to help curb smog, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the government to implement two days weekly off for public schools, colleges and universities and all educational institutions till the end of January next year.

LHC’s Justice Shahid Karim issued the directives in a three-page order released on Saturday on pleas seeking the court’s intervention in tackling smog in the province.

The order acknowledged that the caretaker Punjab government had “announced measures such as closure of schools and colleges on Saturdays” in line with the court directives.

However, the court noted that the notification should not have been issued under the provisions of the Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Act, 2020. It added that the Lahore deputy commissioner’s decision to issue the notification under the Punjab National Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act, 1958 should have been taken into consideration.

The court explained that the 1958 law was appropriate and that could be used to “place a restriction on the movements of public and to close and shutdown schools and colleges”.

“It is, therefore, directed that any such notification to be issued either by the Secretary, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, Government of Punjab or by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Lahore shall be issued in consultation with the Members of the Commission. Further, it is directed that the notification shall mention at least closure of public schools, colleges and universities and all educational institutions for each Saturday till end of January, 2024,” said the order.

The court also ordered that two-day work from home should be imposed on private sector companies and ordered the exclusion of gyms from the notification as it was a “continuation of COVID-19 restrictions”.

“The report by the Punjab Transport Company has also been filed which shows action against smog emitting vehicles and the fine which has been imposed. It has been informed by the Members of the Commission that the industrial units which were sealed on the orders of this Court have been found to be functional on inspection conducted by the Commission itself. It is directed that not only reports regarding the prosecution of such industrial units shall be filed but also names of the relevant officers of the Environment Protection Department who were required to keep these greenbelts as scaled. Departmental action shall be taken against these officers on the next date of hearing,” said the order.

Face masks mandatory

With the arrival of winters, smog has become a problem in multiple cities of Punjab and the government has been scrambling to control the issue as the provincial capital remains ranked high on the air quality index.

In a bid to counter deteriorating quality in Punjab, the caretaker government on Sunday made it mandatory for all citizens to wear a face mask for a week in the smog-hit districts of the province.

Countries in South Asia have seen a marked increase in industrialisation, economic development, and population growth over the past two decades, leading to increased demand for energy and fossil fuels.

While sources like industries and vehicles affect most countries, certain major contributors are unique to South Asia, including solid fuel combustion for cooking and heating, human cremation, and burning of agricultural waste.

About 38% of the pollution in New Delhi this year, for example, has been caused by stubble burning — a practice where stubble left after harvesting rice is burnt to clear fields — in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.

An increase in the number of vehicles on roads as the region has developed has also exacerbated the pollution problem. In India and Pakistan, for example, the number of vehicles has increased four-fold since the early 2000s.

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Gilani is called upon by Qatar’s envoy, and the acting president promises to deepen ties between Pakistan and Qatar.

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Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, the acting president, has stated that Pakistan places a high priority on its relationship with Qatar and emphasized the significance of further developing the two countries’ mutually beneficial ties.

When Qatar’s ambassador, Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater, paid him a visit in Islamabad, he shared similar opinions.

Both nations have a lot of room to grow their commercial and economic ties, according to the acting president. He advised businesses in Qatar to benefit from Pakistan’s investment-friendly atmosphere.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s business-friendly environment and announced that Qatar’s Minister of Investment would soon travel to Pakistan with his group to investigate potential investment opportunities in a number of industries that would serve to advance economic ties.

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Energy Efficiency: SIFC to Invest $1 Billion on Hydrocracker Unit

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When it comes to energy efficiency, oil refineries are getting some aid from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

Projects to enhance the refinery are the primary emphasis of the petroleum division, as instructed by SIFC. A Hydrocracker Unit to refine furnace oil into gasoline and diesel is being considered for installation at PARCO.

A more reliable supply of energy is one of the goals of the $1 billion Hydrocracker Unit.

Diesel and gasoline have been asked to be free from sales taxes by refineries as well. The sales tax statute of 1990, which presently applies sales tax to all goods and services, is currently undergoing changes, which includes this request.

With SIFC’s backing, these projects should help the energy sector expand and stabilize the economy.

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More than 10,000 students from Pakistan create a huge human flag, setting a new world record.

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With the participation of children from Army Public School in Lahore in the creation of the largest flag, Pakistan sets yet another world record. The human flag was produced by almost 10,000 pupils.

As part of a patriotic exhibition, the students united to make a huge human flag of Pakistan, breaking the previous record set by India, where 7,368 pupils made a similar banner.

The Punjab government arranged the Lahore Youth Festival, which saw the setting of the new world record.

The Lahore Youth Festival’s remaining events will be held at Fortress Stadium in Lahore Cant from November 8 to November 10. The opening and closing ceremonies are expected to be colorful on November 8 and 10, respectively.

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