ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to extend shops and markets closing timings by one hour under the revised austerity measures.
The austerity committee of the government reviewed the implementation of existing energy conservation and austerity measures and decided to revise market closing timings in view of longer daylight hours and rising summer temperatures.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Austerity Measures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Under the revised plan, shops, markets, shopping malls and other retail outlets will now close at 9:00 p.m instead of 8 p.m.
Restaurants, cafés and eateries will be allowed to operate until 11:00 pm instead of 10 pm. While takeaway and delivery services will remain exempt from the restrictions.
The committee did not change the existing closing time of 10:00 pm for marriage halls and event venues.
Essential services, including pharmacies, hospitals, fuel stations, and IT and telecommunications-related services, have been exempted from the new timings.
The committee also directed provincial governments to ensure effective implementation of the revised measures in coordination with relevant federal authorities.
In addition to reviewing austerity measures, the committee considered and approved several other agenda items during the meeting.
The session was attended by the federal ministers for Petroleum, Climate Change, Information, and IT & Telecommunications, along with Special Assistants to the Prime Minister on Finance and to the Deputy Prime Minister. Senior officials, including secretaries from key ministries and representatives of provincial governments, also participated in the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026