Pera teams in Lahore accused of enforcing 10pm curbs on exempt sectors
LAHORE: The Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority (Pera) teams are allegedly harassing and forcing the people, involved in sports activities and the businesses exempt from the 10pm closure time restrictions, to close businesses till 10pm in the wake of ongoing fuel crisis lockdown.
In recent raids, the Pera teams working under command of the assistant commissioners (ACs) threatened the young people with dire consequences in case of not stopping playing at a locality near Pine Avenue.
In another raid, a team led by a female assistant commissioner visited a bakery at 10pm or so, advising its management to close business. The team returned when the [bakery] staff told the officials that the bakeries and some other businesses are exempt from the closure time.
On the other hand, the Lahore administration has allegedly failed to explain about restrictions and exemptions to ACs and Pera teams through any fresh notification, as it continues to implement an earlier notification related to businesses’ closure timings, exemptions etc issued in 2023.
“We 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,” revealed a local resident, who was also in the playground, while talking to Dawn.
Squad found ‘harassing’ youngsters in playground,bakery staff; raids being conducted as per 2023 notification; Pera spox unaware of exemptions
“After arguments from both sides, the Pera team returned, saying that they would visit again if the closure timing of 10pm was not followed,” he added, while quoting the officials as warning the cricketers verbally.
According to another cricketer, he and his friends also tried hard to get notification containing information in this regard, but to no avail. “We checked it from our sources, but couldn’t find any information in this regard. But an official told us that the playgrounds (in/outdoor) are not required to close sports at 10pm,” he maintained.
An insider told this reporter that recently a team, led by a woman assistant commissioner, got embarrassed when it visited a bakery in the city.
“When the team asked the staff as to why they didn’t close the business at 10pm, one of the staff members apprised the AC that the timing bar is not for bakeries and some other businesses,” he explained. “This all went viral, after someone made the video of this inspection and uploaded it on social media, inviting severe criticism from the public at large,” he added.
According to a notification issued on Sept 5, 2023, all commercial markets, shopping malls, shops (wholesale and retail) shall close their business by 10pm from Monday to Saturday while on Sunday, all of these businesses shall operate from 2pm to 10pm.
“All restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and other eateries will be permitted to operate till 12am midnight from Friday to Sunday and at 11pm on Monday to Thursday. Furthermore, the home delivery service shall be permitted till 2am only. The businesses exempt from the closure timings included medical stores and pharmacies, hospitals, laboratories, petrol pumps, CNG stations, milk shops, tandoors, puncture shops.
“Show me where in the 2023 notification, or in the reminder issued on Nov 3, 2025, it is stated that sports activities must close at 10pm. Moreover, bakeries are not mentioned in the notification either,” the official said, adding that the ACs and other officers seem confused in the current situation.
When contacted, a spokesperson for the Pera was also found unaware about closure timing or exemptions for certain businesses/activities including sports.
“I will check and tell you soon,” he added when Dawn contacted him. Later, the spokesperson didn’t call back to explain the situation.
The Lahore deputy commissioner (DC), who holds Pera’s district command, was also not available for comments despite repeated calls. However, a spokesperson for the DC, confirmed that the sports activities are not required to follow the closure timings. He clarified that he checked from the additional deputy commissioner general in this regard. And the ADCG says that there is no timing restriction for cricket and other sports activities.
To a question regarding implementation of the 2023 notification and non-issuance of a notification afresh keeping in view the current situation, the spokesman said he would get clarification from the administration soon.
Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2026
