Punjab govt lifts time restrictions on markets, outdoor activities

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Friday lifted the time restrictions on markets, shopping malls, and restaurants following a reasonable improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI).

As per the notification issued by the Environmental Protection Department, all kinds of businesses in Lahore, Multan, and other parts of the province will now operate according to their usual hours.

Restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, and food outlets in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Multan divisions will now remain open beyond 8 pm, the notification read.

“The ban on closing shops, markets, and malls at 8 pm has been lifted, and the working hour restrictions on other businesses, including restaurants, have also been lifted,” the DG Environment Dr. Hamid Sheikh said in the notification.

The decision to lift the ban was taken in light of the significant improvement in air quality across the province. The move, effective from today, is expected to provide relief to business owners and the general public.

On Nov 11, the Punjab government decided that markets aforementioned divisions would close at 8 pm as per orders of the Lahore High Court.

The Environment Protection Department’s directive also banned outdoor dining at restaurants and public gatherings such as festivals and concerts across the affected divisions. However, pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, and bakeries were exempt from the restriction.

The restrictions, imposed under Section 6(a)(t) of the Environment Act, were in response to a critical rise in pollution levels, with air quality readings crossing 300 AQI, a threshold deemed hazardous to human health.