The federal government has announced new energy conservation measures requiring markets and shopping malls to close by 8pm across most parts of Pakistan starting April 7, as authorities seek to manage rising fuel and energy costs linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The decision was taken during a meeting on petroleum products chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Under the new measures, markets, shopping malls, departmental stores and other retail outlets will close at 8pm in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The restriction will not apply in Sindh.
However, markets and malls in divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be allowed to remain open until 9pm, the statement added.
Food-related businesses including bakeries, restaurants, tandoors and other eateries, as well as marriage halls, will close by 10pm. Private homes will also be subject to restrictions on wedding celebrations beyond that time.
Medical stores and pharmacies have been exempted from the closure rules.
The prime minister also announced that intercity public transport in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad will be made free for one month.
The latest measures follow similar directives issued earlier by provincial authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan ordering early closure of markets, restaurants and wedding halls as part of efforts to conserve energy.
Officials say the steps are aimed at reducing fuel consumption as Pakistan faces increasing pressure from rising global energy prices amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.