LAHORE: Marriage hall owners in Lahore on Friday sought relaxation in the closure timing for their business, urging the government to allow them to operate till 11:30pm daily, instead of the recently imposed 9pm bar.

In a meeting with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry office-bearers, they also sought the LCCI’s support to help resolve their issues by taking up the matter with the top government officials.

“I think the government should allow an extension to the operational hours of marriage halls from the current limit of 9pm to 11:30pm for better accommodation of wedding events and associated businesses,” said LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad in the meeting, backing the demand made by the representatives of banquet hall owners.

Talking about the economic impact of these restrictions, he said that shutting down marriage halls early would negatively impact not just this sector, but also the poultry sector, labour and other stakeholders in the allied businesses.

He said the Lahore commissioner and other relevant authorities would be engaged to apprise them of the challenges being faced by this sector.

He said the marriage hall sector plays a pivotal role in supporting multiple sectors, including event management, catering, poultry and daily-wage workers.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2024