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3 days ago
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To address the energy crisis, Pakistan puts a countrywide Market closure policy at 8:00 PM starting April 7, 2026. Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif conducted a high level meeting to impose austerity measures, which involved shops, marriage halls and restaurants. However, other provinces have resolved to these strict time schedules whereas Sindh is still contemplating them.
The government has just completed a significant energy conservation scheme. Today, April 7, you will find shutters being drawn up in the greater part of the country before 8:00 PM.
The decision was made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif when petroleum products and austerity measures were critically reviewed. The idea is not much complicated, the objective is to save energy and decrease the national, circular, debt. Most of the stores close down early, whereas medical stores and pharmacies are open 24/7.
Regional Timing Variations
If you are in the divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, you get a small extension. Bazaars and malls there can stay open until 9:00 PM. However, daily-use item shops and departmental stores must still close by 8:00 PM.
The Sindh government is currently the only outlier. They are still consulting with local traders before enforcing the 8:00 PM rule. Meanwhile, leaders from Punjab, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan have already committed to the plan.
Hospitality and Wedding Restrictions
The new rules also impact your late-night dining and events.
- Restaurants and Bakeries: Must close by 10:00 PM.
- Marriage Halls: All commercial venues must shut down by 10:00 PM.
- Private Properties: A strict ban exists on holding wedding ceremonies in homes after 10:00 PM.
The global surge in oil prices, fueled by the Middle East conflict, makes these steps necessary. To help, the Prime Minister announced free public transport in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad for one month. Digital subsidies for petroleum are also reaching low-income citizens via direct wallet transfers.
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