The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued a directive on Friday requiring all schools to arrange pick-and-drop transport services for students after the upcoming winter break. Justice Shahid Karim, while hearing petitions concerning the ineffective measures to control smog, emphasized that schools must ensure the safety and convenience of students by providing transportation. The proceedings saw participation from the Deputy Attorney General, Asad Ali Bajwa, as well as officials from the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment Commission, who presented a report on the court’s previous orders.
The Lahore High Court ruling made it clear that any school failing to comply with this directive could face closure, and no institution should inform parents that it is not responsible for the students’ transportation. In addition, the court instructed transport authorities to create a vehicle fitness policy within 15 days, requiring regular inspections every three months. Furthermore, the transport department was ordered to issue fitness certificates and maintain a detailed database for all public and private buses operating in the city. This ruling is part of the broader efforts to tackle air pollution and ensure the safe travel of students in the wake of worsening smog conditions.
