LAHORE: In view of the worsening smog in Lahore, the district administration has announced new business hours for markets and restaurants across the city.
As winter begins, air pollution and smog have once again gripped Punjab.
The intensity of air pollution in the provincial capital has increased to dangerous levels. According to the global ranking, Lahore has come first in the list of the most polluted cities in the world.
According to officials, markets will close at 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, while restaurants and cafés must shut down by 11 pm.
On Sundays, markets will open from 2 pm to 10 pm.
Restaurants will be allowed to operate until 12 am on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with home delivery services permitted until 2 am.
However, medical stores, milk shops, tandoors, hospitals, laboratories, petrol pumps, and puncture shops will remain exempt from the restrictions.
Officials said the revised hours were necessary to curb smog which has risen to hazardous levels and warned that strict action would be taken against violators.
Environmental experts said smoke from industrial and agricultural zones in Indian Punjab has drifted into Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sheikhupura due to winds blowing from east to west.
The situation has been aggravated by an increase in crop residue burning across the border, officials added.
