Islamabad Admin Revises Business Timings Amid Austerity Measures

Capital Administration Issues Revised Market Closure Times

On Tuesday, the capital administration issued a revised notification regarding closing times for markets, businesses, and commercial activities due to ongoing austerity measures.

Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon’s office stated that all shops, markets, and shopping malls would close at 8pm throughout the week, including weekends.

The exemption included pharmacies, medical stores, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations, milk and dairy shops, and various other establishments.

Restaurants, food outlets, tandoors, grocery stores, meat shops, fruit and dry fruit shops, vegetable vendors, and bakeries were to close at 10pm. However, takeaway and home delivery services would remain unrestricted.

Marriage halls, marquees, and commercial venues hosting events would also close at 10pm throughout the week, including private functions.

The government’s austerity measures came into effect on May 5 and will remain in place until further notice, following the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran that disrupted supply chains and pushed oil prices to a two-year high.