Essential services, including medical warehouses, hospitals and gasoline pumps exempt from restrictions.
KARACHI:
The Sindh government on Friday announced new operating hours for markets, restaurants and wedding halls as part of austerity measures aimed at tackling the fuel crisis amid tensions in the Middle East, according to a notification issued by the home department.
Earlier this week, the federal government decided to close markets and shopping malls in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir by 8 p.m.
The decision was taken during a key review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which focused on energy saving strategies, petroleum products and austerity initiatives. Sindh, however, did not align with the federal government’s decision.
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The notification issued today said, “As per the new rules, shops, markets and shopping malls in all districts except the divisional headquarters will close at 8 pm throughout the week, while in the divisional headquarters, businesses will be allowed to remain open till 9 pm.”
The notification also mentioned that essential services including bakeries, milk and dairy shops, medical shops, laboratories, clinics, hospitals and petrol stations would be exempted from the restrictions.
“Hotels, restaurants and food establishments will be allowed to operate for dine-in service only between 7:00 pm and 11:30 pm, while delivery and takeaway services will not be affected. Wedding halls and banquet facilities will be allowed to host events between 8:00 pm and midnight,” the notification added.
He further stated that the provincial government had directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure strict compliance with the new schedules in coordination with the police.
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Last week, in response to rising petrol prices and the ongoing energy crisis, the Sindh government announced a monthly subsidy of Rs 2,000 for registered motorcyclists across the province.
Other provincial governments had also started submitting data on eligible beneficiaries for specific subsidy programs and upon verification, subsidies were being distributed through a transparent digital system.
