People wait their turn to fill up with fuel at a gas station in Peshawar. Photo: Reuters/ Archive
QUETA:
In response to the ongoing global energy crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East, the governments of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) announced strict energy conservation measures, while Sindh took steps to freeze transport fares to provide relief to the public.
Both Balochistan and KP governments have instituted early market closing schedules to conserve energy, control electricity production costs and provide relief to citizens affected by rising global fuel prices.
A notification issued by the Balochistan government ordered all markets and shopping malls to close at 8:00 pm, except pharmacies, tandoors, bakeries, wedding halls, banquet halls and hotels, which will close at 10:00 pm.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hamza Shafqaat directed district administrations and law enforcement agencies to ensure full compliance with the order, warning that violators would face legal action.
The measures were decided at a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidies held on Saturday, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. “These measures are intended to protect lower-income segments of the population from the burden of high fuel prices,” the order states.
Similarly, KP authorities have ordered that markets in divisional headquarters close at 9:00 pm and in other districts at 8:00 pm. Wedding halls, marquees and similar places, as well as restaurants, cafes and catering establishments, must close before 10:00 pm, although home delivery and takeaway services may continue.
The province excludes essential services such as agricultural and construction activities, laboratories, emergency health services, gasoline pumps for dispensing fuel, and tandoors that prepare food for immediate consumption.
It has also restricted non-essential lighting in commercial buildings, event venues and public offices, including decorative lighting, floodlights, billboards and LED displays. Air conditioning, escalators and elevators in commercial premises must not operate outside of business hours.
In Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a public relief package to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices. Following consultations with transporters, public transport and school van fares were frozen, and the government provided a specific subsidy.
“Sindh will contribute approximately Rs 14 billion to support transporters, ensuring continuity of service and protecting passengers from rising costs,” Shah said at a press conference. “These measures, effective immediately, are part of a coordinated national effort.”
(WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS IN PESHAWAR AND KARACHI)
