The Punjab government on Friday relaxed restrictions on operating hours of various businesses across the province until June 1, suspending an earlier notification requiring the closure of markets and commercial centers by 8 p.m. as part of “austerity measures.”
In an official notification, the provincial government said the latest decision applied to markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and food outlets throughout Punjab with immediate effect. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Ali Ejaz said the relaxation in market timings aimed to provide relief to traders and make shopping more convenient for citizens.
“Providing relief to traders is the government’s priority,” he said.
The federal government had curtailed business hours until 8 pm. last month as part of energy conservation measures introduced in a bid to reduce the country’s fuel import bill amidst rising global prices due to the Middle East conflict. It had said the measure would apply to Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Sindh employed a separate methodology that was announced a week later.
Apart from the restricted business hours, the Punjab government had also made all public transport free and directed educational institutions to conduct physical classes from Monday to Thursday, with virtual classes on Friday.
Also on Friday, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi spoke with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, with both leaders agreeing to ease business restrictions to facilitate the public and support economic activities.