Govt enforces early market closures, energy-saving measures from April 7

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting to review the implementation of measures related to petroleum consumption, energy conservation and austerity, resulting in major decisions affecting business hours and public activities across the country.

The meeting decided that markets, bazaars and shopping malls in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will close at 8pm.

However, in divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, markets and malls will be allowed to remain open until 9pm. The decisions were made in consultation with provincial governments.

According to the decisions, shops dealing in daily-use items, departmental stores and all types of malls will also close at 8pm. Bakeries, restaurants, tandoors and other food outlets will be required to shut down by 10pm.

Marriage halls, marquees and other commercial venues hosting wedding events will also close by 10pm, while wedding functions at private residences will not be allowed after that time.

Medical stores and pharmacies have been exempted from these restrictions.

Officials said the implementation of these measures will begin from April 7, while consultations regarding market timings are still ongoing in Sindh.

The meeting was informed that the federal government’s subsidy on petroleum products is being transferred through digital wallets, with around 100,000 transactions already completed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the chief ministers of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, for reaching a consensus on these nationally important decisions.

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He expressed hope that the Sindh government would complete consultations with stakeholders soon and join the implementation of the measures.

The prime minister also announced that intra-city public transport in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad will remain free for one month, with all expenses to be borne by the federal government.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, and other senior officials.