The Islamabad administration began enforcing the federal government’s directive to close shopping centres and markets at 8pm from Tuesday as part of a nationwide austerity drive aimed at conserving energy and stabilising the economy.
The move followed a decision taken a day earlier during a high-level review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The policy applied across Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where implementation began today.
Under the new regulations, general stores, department stores and all types of shopping malls must close by 8pm. However, bakeries, restaurants, tandoors and other food outlets are permitted to operate until 10pm. Marriage halls, marquees and commercial venues hosting events are also required to shut by 10pm.