The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed the authorities to close markets and restaurants by 10:00pm in Lahore to control the smog.

The orders were issued by Justice Shahid Karim while hearing a petition seeking the court’s intervention to curb smog. While issuing the directives, the court said that the restaurants be allowed to close at 11pm on weekends.

The court also ordered that schools opening on Fridays be sealed and directed the education department to strictly implement its orders. During today’s hearing, the court was suggested to close the markets on Sunday. However, it put off the suggestion for now.

The hearing has been adjourned till December 19.