The Sindh government has issued an official notification implementing new working hours of markets, restaurants and wedding halls under its austerity policy.
According to a notification issued by the provincial government on Friday, the working hours of shops, markets, shopping malls and other business centres will come into effect immediately. These institutions will be closed at 8pm in all districts except divisional headquarters, while the closing time in divisional headquarters has been fixed at 9pm. These orders will be applicable on all seven days of the week, including Saturday and Sunday.
The Sindh government has clarified that tandoors, milk and dairy shops, bakeries, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals and petrol pumps will be exempted from these restrictions. Restaurants, hotels and food outlets have been allowed to serve dinner only from 7pm to 11:30pm, while there will be no restrictions on home delivery and takeaway service.
According to the government announcement, wedding halls and banquets have been allowed to hold events from 8pm to 12am. The Sindh government has directed the commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure strict implementation of these orders with the cooperation of the Sindh police.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported oil, has been significantly impacted by the energy crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran, as global supply disruptions and rising prices strain the economy. In response, federal and provincial governments have announced austerity measures alongside targeted and general fuel subsidies to cushion the impact of the crisis on consumers and stabilise the economy.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Sindh Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon had said that on the instructions of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Zardari, the Sindh government had decided to provide maximum relief to people and announced a package of Rs35 billion.
He added that priority was being given to poor farmers in the relief package. Using data from the Benazir Hari Card, all farmers owning less than 25 acres are being given relief at the rate of Rs1,500 per acre, and the transfer of funds through the Sindh Bank has also started.
The senior minister said that 6.7 million motorbikes are registered in Sindh, and their owners would receive Rs2,000 a month as fuel subsidy. He added that another subsidy has been provided by the Sindh government for those using public transport.
