ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has decided that shops, markets and shopping malls across the country, except the southern Sindh province, will close by 8pm from Tuesday as part of energy conservation measures, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office announced on Monday.
The development comes amid a rise in fuel prices due to widespread energy and cargo supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, caused by an ongoing United States-Israel war on Iran and Tehran’s counterattacks in the Gulf.
Pakistan last month announced austerity measures, including a four-day work week, slashing of fuel quota for government vehicles, shifting of classes of higher education institutions online and establishing an austerity fund.
Last week, the government announced free transport, fare freezes and targeted subsidies for the masses after two major fuel price increases pushed petrol to Rs458.41 and diesel to Rs520.35 per liter, before Sharif announced a Rs80 cut in petrol levy on Friday.
“A decision has been made to close bazaars, markets, shopping malls in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir at 8pm,” Sharif’s office said after he presided over a meeting to review implementation of energy conservation and austerity measures.
“Bakeries, restaurants, tandoors, and other food and beverage shops will be closed at 10pm. Marriage halls, marquees, and other commercial places where weddings are held will remain closed after 10pm.”
There will be a ban on holding wedding ceremonies after 10pm in private properties and homes, according to the statement. Working hours of medical stores and pharmacies will be exempted from these restrictions.
“The decisions taken in the meeting will be implemented from April 7,” it said.
The measures aimed to reduce energy consumption, control electricity production costs, and safeguard lower-income segments of the population from higher fuel prices in Pakistan, which imports most of its energy needs.
However, markets and shopping malls in divisional headquarters of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have been allowed to remain open until 9pm, according to the PM’s office.
Consultation process is underway in Sindh province regarding markets and other working hours.
“I hope that the Chief Minister of Sindh will also join this decision after completing the consultation process soon,” Sharif was quoted as saying.
