Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered markets and restaurants to close by 10:00 pm in Lahore to combat increasing smog in the provincial capital.
According to the details, Justice Shahid Karim of LHC has issued the orders while hearing a plea seeking court intervention to combat the worsening smog situation in Lahore.
The court ordered the closure of markets and restaurants by 10:00 pm during weekdays, while restaurants will be allowed to remain open till 11:00 pm on weekends.
Furthermore, the LHC also ordered strict action against schools that violate court order to remain closed on Fridays.
The court also considered keeping markets closed but held off on that decision for now.
It is pertinent to mention that Government of Punjab has already issued orders to close educational institutions and offices in Lahore on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to combat the increasing smog in the city.
Read more: Punjab Announces 3 Weekly Holidays For Schools in Lahore.
Lahore in considered one of the most polluted cities in the world when it comes to air quality with an Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering over 300-350 during months of October to February, per IQAir.
Therefore, LHC has ordered to close markets and restaurants in Lahore by 10:00 pm to combat the increasing smog in the city.