ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday extended its austerity drive and fuel conservation measures until June 30, while also revising business operating hours across the country, according to an official statement.
The decision was taken at 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 exemption requests from various ministries and finalised updated recommendations.
Under the revised measures, consular attestation services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its liaison offices in Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, Gujrat, and Lahore will remain open on Fridays to facilitate the public.
The committee extended the validity of existing austerity measures, previously set to expire on June 13, until June 30, 2026.
It also approved revised commercial timings, allowing standalone grocery and kiryana stores to remain open until 10pm daily, including weekends.
Earlier directives had set closing times for shops, markets, malls, and retail outlets at 9pm, while restaurants, cafes, and eateries were permitted to operate until 11pm. Takeaway and delivery services remain exempt from these restrictions.
Marriage halls and event venues will continue to close at 10pm, while essential services such as pharmacies, hospitals, fuel stations, and IT and telecom services remain exempt.
The committee directed provincial governments to ensure strict implementation of the revised guidelines in coordination with federal authorities.
The austerity measures were initially introduced in April as part of a broader energy conservation strategy amid rising fuel costs linked to regional tensions in the Middle East.