High Court orders closure of commercial activities on Sunday to combat worsening smog in Lahore

• Medical stores, bakeries, tandoors, milk shops, hospitals, laboratories and petrol pumps are exempted from smog restrictions

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered a complete shutdown of commercial activities every Sunday across Lahore in an effort to curb worsening smog and environmental pollution in the provincial capital.

Justice Shahid Karim issued the directive while hearing multiple petitions on environmental issues. The court also ordered strict enforcement of the 10 pm closure deadline for marriage halls.

Lahore was once again ranked as the world’s most polluted city on Tuesday, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 372, categorised as “hazardous” at 8:30 am, according to Swiss monitoring agency IQAir.

During the hearing, Deputy Commissioner Musa Raza presented notifications requiring markets and restaurants to close by 10 pm. Justice Karim remarked that issuing notifications alone was not sufficient and instructed authorities to ensure their implementation.

The court also directed that a director-level officer from the Environment Department attend every hearing to brief the bench on progress. The hearing was adjourned until November 7.

After the LHC order and a resolution in the Punjab Assembly, the Lahore district administration has revised business hours for all markets. Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza instructed all assistant commissioners to ensure strict enforcement of the 2023 notification governing business timings.

Under the revised schedule, markets will close at 10 pm and restaurants and cafés at 11 pm from Monday to Saturday. However, on Sundays, markets will operate from 2 pm to 10 pm, while home delivery services will be permitted until 2 am.

Medical stores, bakeries, tandoors, milk shops, hospitals, laboratories, petrol pumps, and puncture repair shops will remain exempt from the new restrictions.