ISLAMABAD: As part of ongoing austerity measures in light of the country’s energy crisis, markets in Islamabad have been notified to shorten business hours.
On Sunday, Islamabad Additional District Magistrate Rana Waqas issued an order closing markets at 9 p.m., wedding halls at 10 p.m., and restaurants and hotels at 11:30 p.m.
The measures would be in effect for two months, according to the notification. Hospitals, pharmacies, vegetable shops, and gas stations, on the other hand, will be exempt from the restricted business hours.
The Punjab authorities agreed on Saturday to close businesses early in order to conserve electricity and prevent the country from entering a major electricity crisis.
The Sindh government had already curtailed business hours in an effort to save electricity. The provincial government announced in a statement that the measures were made in response to the country’s energy crisis.
The crisis forced the Sindh government to apply portions of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Act, 2010, and issue an order limiting retail and restaurant operating hours, according to the statement.
