Balochistan enforces early market closures, launches helpline against petrol overcharging

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has started enforcing energy conservation steps across the province, including earlier closing hours for markets and restaurants, while also introducing a helpline for complaints related to petrol overcharging.

According to an official notification issued by the Balochistan Home Department, all markets and shopping centres are required to shut by 8pm. The order followed a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and was presented as part of efforts to shield the public from the effects of rising inflation.

The notification exempts pharmacies, tandoors and bakeries from the new closing-hour restrictions.

Additional Chief Secretary Home Hamza Shafqaat said functions at wedding halls, banquet halls and hotels must conclude by 10pm. He added that restaurants have also been directed to close at the same time.

Mr Shafqaat said, “The district administration and law enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the orders, warning that violators will face action under relevant laws.” He said divisional commissioners and police officials had been instructed to ensure immediate implementation.

Separately, the chief minister announced a dedicated helpline, 1129, aimed at providing relief to the public and helping ensure petroleum products are sold at official rates.

In a message posted on X, Mr Bugti said the helpline had been set up for the “registration and quick resolution of public complaints”. He said members of the public could use the service to report incidents where petrol was being sold above government-fixed prices, as well as other corrupt practices linked to its sale.

The chief minister said the helpline would function under the supervision of the Chief Minister Secretariat and the Home Department to maintain transparency and effectiveness.

The decision to impose early closures, however, drew an immediate response from the business community.

Abdul Rahim Kakar, president of the Central Anjuman-i-Tajran Registered Balochistan, described the government’s timings as “anti-trader” and warned that protests would follow if the decision was implemented.

Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, Mr Kakar said traders would not shut markets and shops at 8pm and maintained that businesses should be allowed to remain open for longer hours.

“Markets should remain open until 10:00pm, while wedding halls, hotels and restaurants should operate until midnight,” he said.

Mr Kakar said no other province had introduced such early closing hours and argued that the move resembled “lockdown-style restrictions that harmed businesses during the Covid-19 period”. He added that Balochistan was already facing inflation, unemployment, insecurity and restrictions on border trade.