LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday issued orders to impose fines on cafes operating late into the night in residential areas. Justice Shahid Karim made this decision during the hearing of petitions, including one filed by Haroon Farooq, regarding inadequate measures to address smog.
During the proceedings, a member of the Judicial Water and Environment Commission highlighted that numerous cafes in the Johar Town area were violating the prescribed operating hours. The assistant commissioner of Model Town also reported delays in the closure of these cafes.
Expressing concern over the situation, the court directed the imposition of a Rs200,000 fine for the initial offense, increasing to a Rs500,000 fine for a second violation. For a third violation, the court ordered the sealing of the offending cafe. Additionally, the court mandated the immediate restoration of MA College ground. Further hearings were adjourned until January 26.
It is noteworthy that the court had previously issued a directive requiring cafes to close by 10 pm.
