LAHORE – All private offices, franchises and NGOs in smog-hit areas of Punjab has been directed to switch to 50 percent work from home policy, starting from November 13 to December 31, 2024, as air quality continues to deteriorate.
The decision has been taken by the Environment Protection Department for protecting public health, stating that quality of ambient air continues to deteriorate.
The work from home policy will be implemented in Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan and Faisalabad divisions where air pollution has surged to alarming level.
“Section 6(1) (t) of the ibid Act empowers EPA to take or cause to be taken all necessary measures for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, prevention and control of pollution and promotion of sustainable development,” read the notification.
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh (PAS), Director General. Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab in exercise of the powers conferred upon me u/s 6(1) (t) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, do hereby order that all the private offices, franchises, NGOs etc shall reduce the physical presence of their human resource to 50% by shifting them to online mode / work from home,” read the notification.
“This order shall come into force with effect from 13th November, 2024 (Wednesday) in the territorial jurisdiction of Divisions of Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Gujranwala and shall remain in force till 31′ December, 2024 (Tuesday).”
