Islamabad administration reviews business hours under austerity measures

The capital’s administration on Tuesday issued a revised notification on the closing hours of markets, businesses and commercial activities in light of the ongoing austerity measures.

According to a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon’s office, all shops, markets and malls will close at 8 pm throughout the week, including Saturdays and Sundays.

The notification said pharmacies, medical stores, medical supply stores, medical laboratories, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations and milk and dairy products stores were exempted from the restriction.

He added that restaurants and food establishments, tandoors, grocery stores, butchers, fruit and nut shops, vegetable vendors and bakeries will close at 10:00 p.m.

However, he stated that “there will be no restriction on take-out and home delivery services.”

The notification further said that wedding halls, marquees and other commercial venues hosting events would close at 10 pm throughout the week, including functions held at private premises.

“This order will come into force from May 5 and will remain in force until further order,” he added.

In March, the government announced austerity measures across the country due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which disrupted supply chains and sent crude oil prices to a two-year high.

Since then, both the federal and provincial governments have introduced a series of measures, including an additional weekly holiday, cuts to free gas allowances for ministers, limits on protocol vehicles and proposals for subsidized fuel for students.

The federal government has also urged the public to adopt austerity measures in daily life and cooperate with authorities to conserve energy amid the fuel crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East.