Pakistan lifts austerity measures, business hours remain unchanged

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced the immediate withdrawal of measures implemented under the fuel conservation and austerity drive.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the orders issued on June 3 and 10, 2026, regarding the working hours of markets will continue to be in force, under which shops, bazaars, shopping malls, departmental, and general stores will close at 9 pm.

Wedding halls, marquees, and other commercial places used for events will be closed by 10 pm, while restaurants, cafes, food and beverage centers, fruit and vegetable vendors, and grocery stores will be able to do business until 11 pm.

However, takeaway and home delivery facilities will be exempted from this restriction.

According to the notification, pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, petrol and CNG pumps, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, paddle courts, IT companies and call centres will be exempted from the closure hours.

The government has made it clear that austerity measures and other policy directives implemented before the recent conflict in the Middle East will remain in place.