Shopping malls, markets to close at 8 pm nationwide except Sindh amid fuel crisis
Premier expresses confidence that Sindh will soon align with federal govt’s decision
The federal government on Monday decided to close markets and shopping malls across Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir by 8 pm in an effort to conserve energy and implement austerity measures.
According to the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the decision was made during a key review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which focused on energy-saving strategies, petroleum products, and austerity initiatives.
The meeting, attended by senior government officials, also addressed provincial exceptions.
The statement said that in K-P, divisional headquarters would be allowed to keep markets and shopping malls open until 9 pm, adding that it was decided after consultations with the provincial government.
“Under the new regulations, general stores, departmental stores, and all types of malls will also close by 8 pm. However, bakeries, restaurants, tandoors and food outlets will be allowed to remain open until 10 pm,” it said.
The PMO statement added that the government had also decided to impose a ban on weddings and other events at marriage halls, marquees, and commercial venues after 10 pm.
“Private properties and homes will also be prohibited from hosting weddings or social gatherings past 10 pm. However, medical stores and pharmacies will remain exempt from these restrictions,” it stated.
The statement said that these measures would come into effect starting April 7.
“However, the Sindh government is still in the consultation phase regarding market timings and other operational hours. The prime minister expressed optimism that the Sindh government, after consulting relevant stakeholders, will join the nationwide effort shortly,” read the statement.
In a positive development, the PMO said that the prime minister announced that public transport services within Gilgit city and Muzaffarabad would be free for one month, with all expenses borne by the federal government.
“The meeting also provided an update on the government’s initiative to transfer subsidies for petroleum products through digital wallets. A total of 100,000 transactions have been successfully processed under this program so far,” it said.
The statement further said that PM Shehbaz had thanked the chief ministers of Punjab, K-P, Balochistan, G-B, and the AJK PM for their consensus and cooperation on these crucial national issues.
“PM Shehbaz further expressed confidence that the Sindh chief minister will soon align with the federal government’s decision after completing consultations,” said the PMO statement.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last month assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region.
In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
Following attacks, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global fuel supplies and driving up oil prices, which have severely impacted Pakistan.
The government has since introduced a range of austerity steps, including an additional weekly holiday, cutting free petrol allocations for ministers, limiting protocol vehicles, and proposing subsidised fuel for students.
Last month, PM Shehbaz announced a four-day work week and work-from-home policy as part of wide-ranging austerity measures in light of the fuel crunch.