Govt orders nationwide market closures at 8pm to curb energy use

The federal government, in consultation with provinces, has decided to enforce nationwide closure of bazaars, markets and shopping malls by 8 pm as part of energy conservation and austerity measures, with implementation beginning April 7 across Islamabad, provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by the prime minister to review petroleum consumption, energy conservation and broader austerity measures. An exception has been allowed for divisional headquarters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where markets will remain open until 9pm.

Under the new timings, restaurants, bakeries, tandoors and all eateries will close by 10pm, while marriage halls, marquees and other commercial venues hosting events will also shut at 10 pm. The same timing will apply to wedding ceremonies held at private residences. Medical stores and pharmacies have been exempted from the restrictions.

The prime minister said Sindh was continuing consultations with stakeholders and expressed expectation that the province would adopt similar measures. He thanked provincial chief ministers for reaching consensus on what was described as a national interest decision.

The meeting was informed that the process of transferring petroleum subsidies through digital wallets was underway, with around 100,000 transactions completed so far. 

In addition, intra-city public transport in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad will remain free for one month, with the federal government bearing the cost.

In Balochistan, the provincial government and trader bodies separately agreed to implement similar conservation measures. Markets and shopping centres will close by 8pm across the province, while restaurants and wedding halls in Quetta will shut by 11pm and in other districts by 10pm.

The decision was reached after consultations between the provincial government and trader organisations, including Anjuman-e-Tajran Balochistan, Quetta Chamber of Commerce, Hotel and Restaurants Association and wedding hall representatives, who assured compliance with the agreed measures.