As a result of the decrease in the level of smog that has been observed throughout the province, the Punjab Environment Department has declared that the hours of operation of hotels, restaurants, and other food outlets will increase.

All hotels, restaurants, and other food outlets are now permitted to remain open until 10 o’clock at night, as stated in an official notification that was issued by the department today. During these hours, we will also be offering services for takeaway, parking, and dining in.

However, there will be no time constraints placed on the services that are provided for home delivery, it was stated.

Following an improvement in environmental conditions in Punjab as a result of rainfall and a change in the direction of the wind, the decision to update the limits was made, according to the announcement. Following an improvement in the quality of the air, the limits that were first imposed on November 15 have now been loosened.

For the purpose of ensuring that the amended standards are implemented correctly while continuing to monitor environmental conditions, the Environment Department has given the district administration instructions to follow.
In an effort to loosen regulations, the government of Punjab released a statement earlier today allowing eateries in Lahore and Multan to transport food beyond 8 o’clock. Every restaurant, including hotels and fast food shops, will be allowed to continue offering delivery services after the curfew of 8 o’clock, according to a new notification that has been issued.

However, it was said that the dinner-in service would continue to be restricted to a cut-off time of four o’clock, but takeaway orders would be permitted until eight o’clock.

Lahore and Multan have been declared to be in a state of health emergency as a result of the Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb’s announcement of a set of immediate emergency measures. These steps were made in response to the rising smog situation in the province.

Additionally, you may also be interested in reading: Smog crisis: school holidays extended, Punjab to go into full lockdown

As a result of the rising haze in Lahore and other cities in Punjab, the minister announced the following actions to be taken:

In an effort to reduce pollution, all furnace-based factories and brick kilns in the cities of Lahore and Multan have been shut down by Friday.

Both Lahore and Multan would be subject to a total prohibition on the presence of heavy vehicles in their respective cities.

Should the situation not improve by Wednesday, a complete lockdown will be implemented on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. – If the situation does not improve by Wednesday.

Only until four o’clock in the afternoon will customers be authorised to dine at restaurants; after that time, take-away services will be considered acceptable. Every single restaurant will be required to shut down fully at eight o’clock.

All of the educational institutions in Punjab, with the exception of Murree, have been given the order to transition to online learning and have had their vacations extended till November 24.

Activities related to construction have been prohibited beginning on Friday in the cities of Lahore and Multan. The erection of national-level buildings, on the other hand, will be permitted.

Hospital outpatient departments (OPDs) will henceforth be open until 8 o’clock in the evening, and holidays for medical professionals, nurses, and paramedical staff have been cancelled.

According to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the economy of Pakistan appears to be on a more stable foundation that is improving. A lengthy briefing from the Ministry of Finance was followed by this statement.

A confident statement was made by the Prime Minister regarding the fact that the economic recovery of the country is currently underway.

The action, according to details, is intended to stop the begging mafia from damaging Pakistan’s reputation in the holy land.

As part of its severe efforts against beggars, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has planned to require pilgrims to sign an affidavit vowing not to beg before leaving for Umrah. Those who violate this affidavit will face strict legal action.

Umrah pilgrims will not be permitted to travel alone; they must travel in groups in order to further discourage begging. This measure ensures that pilgrims are accountable for their actions and are less likely to engage in begging.

In order to discourage begging, tour companies will also have to get pilgrims to sign affidavits.

According to sources, the administration is committed to resolving this issue because begging has damaged Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia.

Four travel agents were arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for sending residents to Saudi Arabia to beg during raids in different parts of Multan.

Mohammad Ejaz, Ghulam, Ghulam Yaseen, and Sadiq Hussain were among the agents that were arrested, according to an FIA official.

The representative clarified that the information from previously detained people was the basis for these arrests.

The agents were allegedly sending citizens to Saudi Arabia with the purpose of begging and then collecting a share of the money earned through begging.