Shop timing restrictions yet to be notified by environment dept

Government to apprise Lahore High Court of smog mitigation steps

LAHORE:

Traders in Lahore were left confused amid reports that the police were enforcing an 8pm market closure time despite there being no orders issued in pursuance of court directions by the any branch of the government.

The orders for a green lockdown whereby shops in the entire

city are expected to operate till 8pm with a closure on Sunday baring a few exceptions will be issued by the environment protection department in a day or two, according to the department's officials.

As per the officials, the department, in the light of the instructions of the court, is working out the contours of the lockdown to ensure that no subsequent notification for any amendment is needed.

A day earlier, many markets were closed at 8pm.

On Friday, the Lahore High Court had ordered closure of markets by 8pm and though the government, including the department concerned, intend to comply with the orders, no notification has been issued.

An official of the department claimed that the closure will have little impact on the AQI as the major contributing factors at this stage was trans-border wind. However, the closure will help reduce the exposure of people to the environment.

Several traders on Multan Road, Wahdat Road and Ferozpur Road complained that they were left at the mercy of social media to figure out what notifications have been issued.

A businessman said he had kept calling one person after another to figure out what was going on. He said all businesses were going through rough times and treating them like criminals with police at their doorstep was making matters worse.

Meanwhile, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeeb chaired a meeting of the Smog Steering Committee on Saturday, in which it was decided that the Punjab advocate general will appear in the court with full authorisation to inform it that the government is going to implement the Smog Mitigation Orders immediately and effectively.

The Smog Dossier will also be presented to the LHC.

The commissioner and other officials will work on 11 traffic hotspots, which they had mentioned in their previous plan.

It was decided that the CTO and district administration will come up with a plan of LTV and HTV movement in Lahore.

The meeting decided that the shops should be closed as per the court orders. The Commissioner Office will give a plan in this regard.

The traffic police will enforce the condition of wearing mask on roads.

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority cameras will provide support in this regard. In markets, shopkeepers shall wear masks and encourage citizens to do so as well.

The officials concerned will explore the possibility of artificial rain in Multan.

Offices will work at 50% strength until further orders. Several steps related to traffic in the Katchery area were also planned.