The federal capital, late on Sunday night, restored restrictions on market timings, paused during the Eidul Azha festival, requiring closures by 8 p.m. throughout the week apart from exempted sectors.
In a notification, issued by the Islamabad Capital Territory’s district magistrate, the government said all shops, markets and shopping malls would close at 8 p.m. daily. However, it added, restaurants, tandoors, grocery stores, bakeries, meat, fruit and vegetable vendors could remain open until 10 p.m.
According to the notification, marriage halls, marquees and all other commercial places where festive events are held shall close by 10 p.m. The restriction is also applicable on events held on private premises.
The new timings come into effect from today (Monday) and would remain in force until further orders, the notification said. It further said “essential” services, such as pharmacies, hospitals, and medical stores, as well as petrol pumps and CNG stations, were exempt.
The government claims the restrictions are part of fuel conservation measures amidst ongoing fuel price volatility in the global market amidst the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.
Authorities initially imposed the restrictions in April but had eased them last month as traders demanded extended hours ahead of, and during, Eidul Azha. The center’s decision was mirrored by provincial governments, who had likewise eased their own restrictions.