Centre notifies revised business hours under austerity measures

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has issued a notification revising business closure timings under fuel conservation and austerity measures, and asked provincial governments to enforce the updated schedule.

According to the official notification issued on Wednesday, shops, markets, malls and general retail outlets will now shut at 9pm, while restaurants, cafes and eateries will be allowed to remain open until 11pm. Takeaway and delivery services have been kept outside the restrictions, while marriage halls and event venues will continue to close at 10pm without any change in their existing hours.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Austerity Measures held on Tuesday and chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The committee also directed provincial governments to ensure effective implementation of the guidelines in coordination with federal authorities.

Exemptions under the revised schedule

The updated closing-hour rules do not apply to essential services, including pharmacies, hospitals, fuel stations, and information technology and telecom services, according to the notification.

The business-hour restrictions were first imposed by the federal and provincial governments in April as part of energy-saving measures after domestic fuel prices rose sharply amid tensions in the Middle East. The steps were presented as part of a broader federal strategy aimed at reducing energy consumption during a period of increasing fuel costs.

Earlier relaxations before Eidul Adha

The restrictions were temporarily relaxed last month ahead of Eidul Adha, observed from May 27 to 29. On May 18, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a nationwide exemption from business closure timings until May 31, allowing commercial centres to operate without the earlier restrictions.

That decision followed similar steps by provincial administrations. In Punjab, authorities extended relaxed hours for markets and commercial centres until June 1, suspending the mandatory 8pm closing time. On May 16, the Sindh government also exempted markets, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and marriage halls from fixed closing hours to support economic activity and provide relief to traders and the public.

The governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan had also withdrawn restrictions on market and business timings, effectively ending the energy-conservation measures across the provinces before the latest federal notification was issued.