The federal government on Friday announced it is withdrawing fuel saving and other austerity measures introduced in the wake of the U.S.-Iran war, though retained restrictions on the operational hours of markets.
In a notification, the Cabinet Division said the prime minister had approved an end to the weekly Friday holiday in the public sector, restoring a five-day working week. Similarly, a directive allowing 50% of government employees to work from home has been withdrawn, as well as a 50% cut in fuel allocations for official vehicles.
The government has also restored the speed limits for vehicles on motorways and national highways, with light transport vehicles once again permitted to travel at up to 120km/hour on motorways, up from the reduced 100km/hour.
Passenger vehicles, and heavy transport vehicles can now travel at 110 km/hour on motorways, up from the reduced 90 km/hour. On national highways, the speed limit for cars and light transport vehicles has been increased from 80 km/hour to 100 km/hour. Similarly, the limit for passenger vehicles and heavy vehicles has been raised back to 80 km/hour from 65 km/hour.
However, restrictions on market operating hours will remain in place. Shops, markets, shopping malls, departmental stores and bazaars must close by 9 p.m., while marriage halls, marquees and other event venues must shut by 10 p.m. Restaurants, cafés, eateries, fruit and vegetable shops, grocery stores and food outlets may remain open until 11 p.m.
Home delivery and takeaway services remain exempt, as do pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, petrol and CNG stations, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, I.T. companies and call centers.
The decision follows the announcement of a significant reduction in fuel prices, as announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to a notification, the price of petrol has been slashed by Rs. 74/liter and of diesel by Rs. 67/liter.