LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday ordered the local administration to ensure closure of the markets in the provincial metropolis at 10pm as a measure to control smog.

Justice Shahid Karim, who seized petitions on environmental issues, also directed the government that the restaurants should be closed at 10pm on the first four days of the week and at 11pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday till further order.

The judge said that the markets would remain open on Sundays, however, from 2pm to 10pm.

Commenting on the court’s previous decision of closing all schools on Fridays and Saturdays, Justice Karim observed that a slight decrease in smog had been witnessed in the city.

The judge directed the schools education department to seal the schools in violation of the four-day schedule announced by the court.

Earlier, the Lahore commissioner submitted a report about the discussions held with the traders to decide the timings of the markets in light of the court’s direction.

The judge observed that the court would keep monitoring the implementation of its directions.

The judge would resume the next hearing on Dec 19.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2022