Marriage halls across Punjab are facing action for failing to comply with government directives on suction hoods.
The provincial government has ordered the closure and sealing of halls operating without the required suction hoods.
Director General (DG) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Abdullah Nayyer Sheikh directed field officers to take action against halls that have failed to comply with the government’s directives.
According to the department, strict action was decided after halls were given a nine-month grace period following the expiry of the compliance deadline.
The EPA said no further concessions would be given to halls that failed to meet the requirements within the specified timeframe.
The department has made it clear that all halls operating without suction hoods will be shut down and sealed.
Non-compliant marriage halls will also face heavy fines in addition to being sealed.
Marriage halls and event venues in Lahore and across Pakistan must close by 10:00pm under government energy conservation and austerity regulations.
The government continues to enforce a strict single-dish rule for all wedding meals and social gatherings hosted at commercial venues.