“After assessing improved air quality post recent rainfall, in consultation with experts and Punjab environment department, we’ve decided to lift the lockdown,” Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi wrote in a post on Friday.

According to him, the markets will be open tomorrow (Saturday), and restaurants can resume operations after 6pm.

“The recent restrictions related to smog will be lifted from tomorrow morning. All educational institutes will remain close till Sunday,” CM Naqvi stated.

A day earlier, the Punjab government enforced smart lockdowns in multiple districts of the province to decrease smog and keep skies clear.

The four-day lockdown involved closure of schools and markets and people were advised not to leave their houses except for unavoidable needs.

The smart lockdown was initially imposed for four days from Thursday to Sunday. However, the government later decided to relax the lockdown for the first two days in eight districts.

The districts that received the relaxation include Lahore, Nankana Sahab, Sheikhupura, Qasoor, Gujranwala, Narowal, Hafizabad and Sialkot.