Pera teams accused of applying 10pm curbs to exempt sectors in Lahore

LAHORE: Teams of the Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority (Pera) have been accused of asking people involved in sports and businesses, whio are to be exempt from the 10pm closure limit, to shut down during the ongoing fuel crisis-related restrictions in Lahore.

Recent enforcement visits triggered complaints from residents and business operators, who said Pera teams working under assistant commissioners were applying the curbs to activities and outlets not covered by the restriction.

A resident told Dawn that a Pera team arrived at a private cricket facility in Valencia Town near Pine Avenue and ordered players to stop the game. He said that they were playing cricket at a private facility in Valencia Town. All of a sudden, a Pera team reached and ordered us to stop playing. When we asked them to show notification in this regard, the team members, instead of presenting, threatened us to either stop cricket or face the legal proceedings.

He further said the team left after an exchange, but warned the players it would return if the 10pm timing was not observed. Another cricketer said he and his friends also tried to locate any official notification covering sports activities, but could not find one. He added that an official had told them indoor and outdoor playgrounds were not required to stop sports at 10pm.

An insider said that a team led by a woman assistant commissioner visited a bakery in the city at around 10pm and told the management to close. A staff member informed the official that bakeries and some other businesses were exempt from the timing restriction, after which the team left. The same account said a video of the inspection circulated on social media and drew criticism.

Administration accused of relying on older notification

The Lahore administration had not issued a fresh notification to clearly explain restrictions and exemptions to assistant commissioners and Pera teams, and was instead continuing to act under an earlier order issued in 2023.

Under a notification dated Sept 5, 2023, all commercial markets, shopping malls, and wholesale and retail shops are required to close by 10pm from Monday to Saturday, while on Sunday they may operate from 2pm to 10pm. Restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and other eateries are allowed to remain open until 12am from Friday to Sunday and until 11pm from Monday to Thursday, while home delivery is permitted until 2am.

The same notification lists exempt businesses as medical stores and pharmacies, hospitals, laboratories, petrol pumps, CNG stations, milk shops, tandoors and puncture shops.

An official said the situation suggested confusion among assistant commissioners and other officers in the current circumstances.

Officials give differing levels of clarity

When contacted by Dawn, a Pera spokesperson was unaware of the closure timings or exemptions for certain businesses and activities, including sports. He said he will check and revert, but did not later call back with an explanation.

The Lahore deputy commissioner, who holds district command of Pera, was not available for comment despite repeated calls. However, a spokesperson for the deputy commissioner confirmed that sports activities do not have to follow the closure timings. He said he had checked with the additional deputy commissioner general, who stated there was no timing restriction for cricket and other sports activities.

Asked about the continued implementation of the 2023 notification and the absence of a fresh order in light of the current situation, the deputy commissioner’s spokesperson said he would seek clarification from the administration.