Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level meeting and approved sweeping energy conservation measures, including early closure of markets and shopping malls across multiple regions, as Pakistan grapples with rising fuel costs.
According to an official statement, bazaars, markets, and shopping malls in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will now close by 8:00 pm starting April 7, 2026.
However, divisional headquarters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been granted a slight relaxation, allowing markets to operate until 9:00 pm in consultation with the provincial government.
The government has also extended these restrictions to essential retail outlets, including departmental stores and malls, which will adhere to the 8:00 pm closing time. Meanwhile, restaurants, bakeries, tandoors, and other food outlets will be permitted to remain open until 10:00 pm.
In a further move to conserve energy, all marriage halls, marquees, and wedding-related venues must close by 10:00 pm. The government has also imposed a ban on holding wedding ceremonies beyond this time, even in private homes.
Medical stores and pharmacies have been exempted from the new restrictions to ensure uninterrupted access to healthcare services.
During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on the ongoing distribution of petroleum subsidies through digital wallets, revealing that over 100,000 transactions have already been processed under the relief initiative.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the cooperation of provincial governments in implementing these measures and expressed hope that Sindh would soon finalize consultations and adopt similar policies.
Additionally, the government announced that intercity public transport in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad will be free for one month, with expenses covered by the federal government.
The measures are part of a broader strategy to tackle the ongoing energy crisis and provide relief to citizens amid escalating fuel prices.