Sindh, KP and Balochistan relax market timing restrictions

ISLAMABAD: Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday removed previously imposed closing-time limits on commercial activity, while Balochistan also eased lockdown-related restrictions and allowed business centres to operate normally until June 1.

A day earlier, Punjab had also withdrawn restrictions on market timings until June 1. The curbs had originally been introduced on April 7 under the federal government’s energy conservation policy.

Under those earlier orders, shops, markets, commercial centres, shopping malls, restaurants and hotels were required to close at 8pm. The restrictions were imposed after the US-Iran war disrupted supplies of fuel and fertilisers globally, including to Pakistan.

Sindh withdraws fixed closing hours

Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said in a statement on Saturday that shops, markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, food outlets, marriage halls and marquees had been exempted from fixed closing hours.

He said business centres would now function according to routine hours without the earlier time limits. Memon, who also holds the information, transport and mass transit portfolios, said the restrictions on operating hours had been enforced under an energy conservation and austerity policy.

He added that the provincial government reviewed the decision after considering proposals from traders and industrialists, their concerns and the prevailing ground realities so that business activity would not be negatively affected.

KP announces end to lockdown curbs

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi agreed during a telephone conversation on Saturday to ease lockdown restrictions in the province.

Kundi proposed lifting the restrictions on the pattern of Punjab and suggested exempting shops, markets, shopping malls and restaurants from the existing curbs. The chief minister agreed to the proposal, and the two leaders also discussed steps aimed at maintaining public convenience alongside economic stability.

The governor said easing business timings would help reduce the financial losses faced by traders and added that providing relief to the public should remain the government’s top priority. He also said the restoration of business activity would support economic stability in the province.

Kundi further acknowledged the difficulties being faced by traders and assured them that measures would be taken to address their concerns.

Later, the K-P chief secretary issued a public notice announcing the decision and directed all deputy commissioners to formally notify the end of the lockdown.

At the same time, the provincial government urged citizens, traders, markets, plazas, marriage halls, restaurants, industries and government offices to continue following energy conservation measures. Authorities specifically advised against unnecessary and decorative lighting, called for cautious use of air conditioners and asked people to avoid wasteful electricity consumption.

Balochistan allows normal business operations until June 1

Meanwhile, the Balochistan government also relaxed lockdown restrictions ahead of Eidul Azha and allowed business centres to resume normal operations until June 1.

According to a statement issued by the Balochistan Home Department, shops, markets, shopping malls, restaurants and hotels were exempted from the earlier requirement to close by 8pm.

However, the statement said lockdown measures would remain in place for other institutions.