Eat, drink at a public place at your own risk

Eating, drinking and smoking at public places during fasting hours in the holy month of Ramadan have been prohibited to ensure sanctity of the month. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has drawn attention of people to the Ehtram-e-Ramadan Ordinance 1981 which prohibits eating and serving of eatables at public places and prescribes closure timing of cinema houses, theatres and other establishments for observing due sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan. In accordance with the provisions of Ehteram-e-Ramzan Ordinan0ce, 1981 and the rules framed under it, all the provincial governments and the authorities concerned in the province will ensure strict implementation of the ordinance. According to the ordinance, no person who 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, theatre 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 with both. Section four of the ordinance says that exemptions shall apply in respect of a canteen or kitchen maintained at a hospital for serving food to patients, a restaurant or canteen within 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.