The Punjab government on Friday relaxed business operating hour restrictions across the province, suspending the mandatory closure of markets and commercial centres by 8pm until June 1.
According to an official notification, the decision applies immediately to markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and food outlets throughout the province.
Ali Ejaz said the move was aimed at providing relief to traders and making shopping more convenient for the public. He added that markets would no longer be required to close at 8pm from Friday onward.
The restrictions had been introduced last month as part of nationwide energy conservation measures following a sharp rise in fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Under the federal government’s austerity and fuel-saving plan announced on April 6, shopping malls, departmental stores and shops selling daily-use items in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were ordered to close by 8pm.
In line with the policy, Punjab had also introduced several fuel and electricity conservation measures, including limiting physical classes in educational institutions to four days a week and offering free travel on public transport systems such as the Orange Line, Metro Bus, Speedo and Green Bus services.
The provincial government had additionally announced fuel subsidies for farmers and motorcyclists, while reducing allowances of Punjab Assembly members and cutting the use of official assembly vehicles as part of broader austerity measures.