Eating, drinking and smoking at public places during fasting hours in Ramadan has been prohibited to ensure sanctity of the month. The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Thursday drew attention of people to the ‘Ehtram-e-Ramzan Ordinance, 1981 which prohibits eating and serving of 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 of Ramadan.
In accordance with the provisions of Ehteram-e-Ramadan Ordinance 1981 and the rules framed there under, all the provincial governments and the authorities concerned will ensure strict implementation of the ordinance. 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, theaters and similar establishments or institutions shall remain closed during the month of Ramadan from the sunset to the expiration of three hours thereafter. If the proprietor, manager, servant or other person in charge of a cinema house, theater or similar establishment or institution contravenes the provisions, he 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.
Eat at public places in Ramadan at own risk
