Christmas shopping: Lahore markets allowed to operate till midnight

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday allowed the city’s business centers to remain open till midnight as preparations for Christmas shopping and celebrations enter the final phase.

The LHC judge Justice Shahid Karim issued orders while hearing a petition seeking the court’s intervention to curb smog.

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The court allowed shopping centres to do business till midnight on Friday (today), Saturday and Sunday as preparations for celebrating Christmas.

Earlier the Lahore High Court proceedings with environmental issues related petitions had ordered the closure of all commercial activities in the provincial metropolis by 10 pm daily.

Christmas Shopping

The holiday shopping season is in full swing with retailers hoping consumers will spend big despite worries about the fragile economy and their own precarious finances.

With Christmas just around the corner, in cities across Pakistan, it is the start of a frenzy of shopping, with plenty of time for stuff to be delivered and wrapped up before the big day arrives.

Many shops have set up additional counters to sell Christmas decorations such as miniature Christmas trees and buntings.

Separately, a number of bakeries have prepared Christmas cakes, while almost all the major hotels in the city have displayed highly illuminated and beautifully decorated Christmas trees and miniature models of Santa Claus, wearing his trademark red uniform and carrying a bag filled with gifts for children.

Churches have finalised plans to set up special fairs outside the buildings where families would draw in glory to enjoy every bit of the festival.

Midnight masses will be organised in all the city churches late on Sunday(December 24) evening marking the beginning of Christmas celebrations.

The Christian neighbourhoods have been illuminated and decorative lights and buntings have been put on the houses and churches to celebrate the occasion.