Nine shops sealed in Sargodha over business timing violations

SARGODHA: The district administration on Monday stepped up implementation of the Punjab government’s smart lockdown policy and sealed nine shops in Sargodha for breaching officially notified business hours.

According to the administration, four shops were sealed in Bahawal and five in Sargodha city after they were found open beyond the permitted timings. The action was taken as part of an ongoing campaign to enforce market closure rules issued by the Punjab government.

Inspection teams, working under the directions of Deputy Commissioner Hussain Ahmad Raza, monitored markets to ensure compliance with the prescribed schedule for commercial activity. The checks were carried out to make sure traders and business owners were following the government’s orders on closing times.

Assistant commissioners, along with police and paramilitary personnel, conducted daily inspections after 8pm to oversee the closure of commercial outlets on time. The administration said the monitoring drive was continuing as part of efforts to ensure implementation of the smart lockdown policy.

Officials stated that about 95 per cent of traders were complying with the restrictions. Under the notified timings, shops are required to close by 8:00pm, while restaurants must shut by 10:00pm.

Monitoring under smart lockdown policy

The enforcement campaign was launched under directives issued by the Punjab government. The district administration said teams had been assigned to regularly visit markets and commercial centres to check whether businesses were observing the required closing hours.

The latest action in Bahawal and Sargodha city formed part of these inspections. The administration maintained that the vast majority of traders were following the rules, while action was being taken against those found in violation.

The prescribed timings remain in place under the provincial government’s smart lockdown measures, with market inspections being carried out on a daily basis after 8pm by civil and law enforcement officials.