Islamabad administration revises business hours under austerity measures

The capital administration on Tuesday issued a revised notice on closing times for markets, businesses and commercial activities in light of ongoing austerity measures.

According to a notification issued by the office of Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, all shops, markets and malls would close at 20:00 during the week, including Saturdays and Sundays.

The notification said pharmacies, medical shops, medical supply shops, medical laboratories, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations and milk and dairy shops were exempted from the restriction.

It added that restaurants and food outlets, tandoors, grocery stores, meat shops, fruit and dry fruit shops, greengrocers and bakeries would close at

However, it stated that “there is no restriction on takeaway and home delivery”.

The notification further said that marriage halls, marquees and other commercial places holding events would close at

“This order will come into effect from May 5 and will remain in force until further orders,” it added.

The government in March announced austerity measures across the country due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which disrupted supply chains and pushed crude oil prices to their highest in two years.

Both federal and provincial governments have since introduced a range of measures, including an extra weekly holiday, cuts to free petrol allocations for ministers, restrictions on protocol vehicles and proposals for subsidized fuel for students.

The federal government has also urged the public to adopt saving measures in daily life and work with authorities to save energy amid the fuel crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.