Punjab govt enforces new market timings in Lahore to combat smog crisis
Pakistan
The market timing schedule, which was first implemented in 2023, will now take effect immediately.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab government has announced new timings for markets, restaurants and cafés across Lahore to curb smog and air pollution in the city.
The market timing schedule, which was first implemented in 2023, will now take effect immediately and will be strictly enforced to help reduce vehicular and industrial emissions—two major contributors to the city’s deteriorating air quality.
According to the official notification, markets in Lahore will now close by 10 PM from Monday to Saturday, while on Sundays, they will operate from 2 PM to 10 PM. The administration believes that limiting business hours will help cut down traffic congestion and lower energy consumption, especially during evening hours when pollution levels tend to spike.
Restaurants and cafés have also been directed to close by 11 PM on weekdays, though they may remain open until 12 AM (midnight) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. To accommodate late-night customers, home delivery services have been permitted to continue operations until 2 AM.
Read also: Lahore tops world's most polluted cities list as smog blankets Punjab again
Certain essential services, including medical stores, hospitals, milk shops, tandoors, laboratories, petrol pumps and puncture repair shops, are exempt from these timing restrictions, ensuring that public convenience is not disrupted.
Officials stressed that these regulations are mandatory, and strict action will be taken against any violations. Monitoring teams from the local administration and police have been deployed to ensure compliance. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to mitigate smog and protect public health as winter approaches.
