ISLAMABAD – The federal government is considering a proposal to reduce the market timings across the country as part of its ongoing energy-saving measures as the US-Israel war against Iran has disrupted global supplies.
Reports indicate that the government is considering a proposal to limit market and shop hours to 9 am–6 pm, allowing them to operate for just nine hours daily.
A day earlier, Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik stated that the government is reviewing the possibility of closing markets earlier than usual as part of broader austerity measures designed to tackle the ongoing energy crisis triggered by tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking to local media, Malik referred to a high-level meeting attended by the chief ministers of all four provinces, where early market closures were suggested as a potential step to conserve energy.
Under the plan, only restaurants and wedding halls would be permitted to operate until 10 PM, while other commercial establishments would close earlier than their normal hours.
The initiative comes after global energy markets were disrupted following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. In retaliation, Iran partially blocked the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial shipping corridor—and targeted oil refineries across the Gulf.
In response, Pakistan introduced a comprehensive energy-saving and austerity program. Fuel prices, which initially rose by Rs55 per litre on March 6, reached Rs458.51 per litre before dropping to Rs378.41 following an Rs80 reduction announced recently.
