ISLAMABAD: Eating, drinking and smoking at the public places across Pakistan during fasting hours in Ramazan has been prohibited to ensure sanctity of the Islamic month.
The Ehteram-e-Ramzan Ordinance 1981 prohibits people from eating and serving eatables at public places, prescribes closure timing of cinema houses, theatres and other establishments and enjoins taking of steps for observing due sanctity of the holy month.
In accordance with the ordinance, all federal and provincial governments and the authorities concerned will ensure strict implementation of the law. According to the ordinance, no person who, according to the tenets of Islam, is under an obligation to fast, shall eat, drink or smoke at public places during fasting hours.
Under the ordinance, all cinema houses, theatres and similar establishments or institutions shall remain closed during Ramazan from the sunset to the expiration of three hours thereafter. If the proprietor, manager, servant or other person in charge of a cinema house, theatre or similar establishment or institution contravenes the provisions, he/she will be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with a fine which may extend to Rs 500 or both.
Section four of the ordinance says that exemptions shall apply to a canteen or kitchen maintained at a hospital for serving food to patients, a restaurant or canteen on the premises of a railway station, airport, seaport or bus stand or in a train or aircraft, a kitchen or dining car of a train or a kitchen or canteen meant for children on the premises of a primary school.
