Govt extends austerity measures until June 30, revises business hours nationwide

The federal government has extended its austerity and fuel conservation measures until June 30 and approved revised operating hours for businesses across the country, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The committee reviewed requests for exemptions submitted by various ministries and divisions before finalising its recommendations. It approved the continuation of austerity measures beyond their previous expiry date of June 13, extending them until the end of the month.

As part of the revised arrangements, consular attestation services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its liaison offices in Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, Gujrat and Lahore will remain operational on Fridays to facilitate the public.

The committee also approved extending the closing time for standalone grocery and kiryana stores to 10pm on all days, including weekends.

Under the revised business schedule, shops, markets, shopping malls and general retail outlets will close at 9pm, while restaurants, cafés and other eateries will be permitted to operate until 11pm.

Takeaway and delivery services have been exempted from the restrictions. Marriage halls and event venues will continue to close at 10pm, with no changes to their operating hours.

Essential services, including pharmacies, hospitals, petrol pumps, and information technology and telecommunications services, will remain exempt from the revised regulations.

The committee directed provincial governments to ensure effective implementation of the updated guidelines in coordination with federal authorities.

The austerity and energy conservation measures were introduced earlier this year as part of efforts to reduce fuel consumption amid rising energy costs. Several restrictions had been temporarily relaxed ahead of Eid ul Adha, with further exemptions granted during May.