Source:

August 05, 2011 14:22 IST

A total of 25 people were arrested and sent to jail in Pakistan's central Punjab province for eating in public during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The people were arrested in Faisalabad city this week for violating the Ehteram-e-Ramadan Ordinance, officials said.

A spokesman of the city district government said special teams had been formed to conduct raids and nab persons who were found eating in public. The raiding teams arrested 25 people from across the city for eating and drinking in public. These people were sent to jail for 72 hours, the spokesman said.

The Pakistan government has prohibited eating, drinking and smoking in public places during the fasting hours of Ramadan to "ensure the sanctity of the month."

The restrictions were imposed under the Ehteram-e-Ramadan Ordinance, which was introduced during the regime of late military ruler Zia-ul-Haq.

The ordinance prohibits serving of foods in public places, sets closure timings of cinema halls, theatres and other establishments and directs authorities to take steps for maintaining the sanctity of Ramadan.