The federal government has introduced a fresh set of austerity and fuel-saving measures in Islamabad in response to rising fuel prices linked to the Gulf conflict.
The measures were approved on the recommendations of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures and notified by the Cabinet Division on Thursday.
Under the new directives, shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, departmental stores, grocery and general stores, including kiryana shops, will close by 9 pm throughout the week.
Marriage halls, marquees and other commercial venues hosting events will shut by 10 pm, while restaurants, cafés, eateries and food outlets will close at 11 pm. Takeaway and home-delivery services will remain exempt. Only a single dish will be permitted at marriage functions and related events.
The restrictions will not apply to pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, standalone bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy outlets, petrol and CNG stations, electric vehicle charging facilities, gyms, sports centres, IT companies and call centres.
The measures initially apply to Islamabad, while provincial and regional governments have been encouraged to consider implementing similar steps.
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