- CM Naqvi says that no order has been given to close the markets for November 10.
- ‘If police exerts pressure, strict action will be taken [traders] To close the market.”
- Traders urged the Chief Minister to order lifting of the lockdown in Lahore.
Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday took note of incidents of “forced closure” of shops in Lahore in compliance with lockdown orders due to smog conditions, as traders lamented police misconduct.
The Punjab government on Thursday revised the lockdown already imposed in several districts of the province, including Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot and Narowal.
According to the notification, markets in smog-affected districts were to be allowed to operate on Thursday and Friday, however, shopping malls and markets will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Taking cognizance of the matter, CM Naqvi said that no order has been given to close markets and shops for November 10.
‘If police use force then strict action will be taken [traders] To close markets or shops,” he said
The acting chief executive said the order to close the market due to smog was only for Saturday.
He said that due to rain and government efforts, there has been a significant decline in smog levels. After this he thanked the business organizations for cooperating with the government.
Traders union leaders complained about the forced closure of a shop by the police in the city’s Shah Alam Market and urged the Chief Minister to order lifting of the lockdown in Lahore.
Addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran (APAT) leader Naeem Mir alleged “police brutality”, saying the police misbehaved with traders in the market and threatened to file an FIR against them. threatened.
“We were unable to understand whether the police is the boss or the chief minister is the chief executive,” he said. [of the province],” He said.
Munir said that on Friday customers from all over Punjab come to the markets but today the whole day was wasted in this problem.
He said that today it rained so much that all the smoke was washed away and the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved. He said, now smart lockdown is no longer relevant.
Earlier in the week, an environment and health emergency was declared for four days in Lahore, Gujranwala and Hafizabad divisions due to the prevailing smog conditions.
At this AQI level, the city maintained its position as one of the most polluted cities, with citizens experiencing smog and a hazy environment throughout the day. The air quality was extremely poor, making it almost impossible to breathe normally outside.
