Restaurants, businesses to close by 5pm on New Year’s Eve

City authorities have directed all restaurants and businesses in Karachi to close by 5pm on New Year's Eve.

The authorities decided to issue the directive in the light of the pandemic situation, while reviewing the security and traffic plan and other arrangements for December 31.

Presiding over the meeting, Karachi commissioner Navid Ahmed Shaikh directed the police to keep Sea View and surrounding areas open for the public on the day, with better traffic and security arrangements.

Police and Rangers personnel will be deployed at all public places and on important arteries leading to Sea View.

The commissioner said the relevant authorities would ensure the implementation of pandemic-related standard operating procedures, while Article 144 will be imposed to protect the lives of citizens from aerial firing and other such activities.

He asked deputy commissioners (DCs) to take action against those violating the law.

Moreover, an emergency will be imposed in hospitals, while fire tenders and ambulances will be available at camps set up across the city by the police.

He further instructed the DCs to ensure that street lights in their respective areas were working properly on the day and all manholes were covered.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2020.