PM Shehbaz Enforces Nationwide Early Market Closures to Save Energy;
PM Shehbaz Enforces Nationwide Early Market Closures to Save Energy;
Islamabad, April 6, 2026 — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review measures aimed at energy conservation and austerity, approving strict new timings for markets, businesses, and social events across most parts of the country.
Under the new directives, markets, shopping malls, and commercial centers in پنجاب, خیبر پختونخوا, بلوچستان, اسلام آباد, گلگت بلتستان, and آزاد کشمیر will close at 8:00 PM. However, divisional headquarters in خیبر پختونخوا will be allowed to keep markets open until 9:00 PM. The decisions were taken in consultation with provincial governments.
Essential retail outlets, including grocery stores and departmental stores, will also follow the 8:00 PM closing time. Meanwhile, restaurants, bakeries, tandoors, and other food outlets will be allowed to operate until 10:00 PM.
The government has also imposed restrictions on wedding-related activities. Marriage halls, marquees, and other commercial venues hosting weddings must close by 10:00 PM, while wedding events at private homes after that time have also been banned. Medical stores and pharmacies, however, are exempt from these restrictions.
The new measures will come into effect from April 7, 2026. Officials informed the meeting that consultations are still ongoing in Sindh regarding the implementation of similar timings.
During the briefing, it was revealed that the federal government has begun transferring petroleum subsidies through digital wallets, with over 100,000 transactions already completed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the chief ministers of پنجاب, خیبر پختونخوا, بلوچستان, گلگت بلتستان, and آزاد کشمیر for reaching consensus on these measures, expressing hope that Sindh will soon join after completing its consultations.
As part of public relief, the prime minister also announced free intra-city public transport for one month in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad, with all expenses to be borne by the federal government.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, and other senior officials.
