ISLAMABAD: The federal government has introduced revised operating hours for commercial establishments in Islamabad as part of its fuel conservation and austerity measures.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat’s Cabinet Division on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the immediate implementation of new closing hours for businesses in the federal capital. The notification states that the measures have been introduced in view of longer daylight hours and rising summer temperatures.
Under the new schedule, shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, departmental stores and neighbourhood grocery stores will close at 9:00pm throughout the week, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Marriage halls, marquees and commercial venues hosting events will be required to conclude operations by 10:00pm.
Restaurants, cafés, eateries and other food outlets will be allowed to operate until 11:00pm. Takeaway and home delivery services have been exempted from the restrictions. Fruit and vegetable shops will also close at 11:00pm.
The notification exempts several essential services from the revised timings, including pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, clinics and hospitals.
Standalone bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, fuel stations, CNG stations and electric vehicle charging facilities are also exempt. In addition, gyms, sports facilities, padel courts, IT companies and call centres will not be subject to the new closing hours.
The federal government has advised provincial and regional administrations to adopt similar measures in their respective jurisdictions to support energy conservation efforts across the country.
The revised timings have come into effect immediately.
