The Government of Sindh on Friday announced revised business timings, mandating that all shops, markets, and shopping malls in Karachi and other divisional headquarters will close at 9pm throughout the week, including weekends, as part of energy-saving austerity measures aligned with federal directives.
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According to a notification issued on April 10, markets in districts outside divisional headquarters will close earlier at 8pm. The move comes amid nationwide efforts to conserve energy following the global fuel crisis triggered by the ongoing US-Israel conflict involving Iran.
Essential services have been exempted from the restrictions, including tandoors (standalone), milk and dairy shops, bakeries, medical stores, pharmacies, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, and fuel stations.
Restaurants, hotels, and food outlets will be allowed to operate for dine-in services between 7pm and 11:30pm, while takeaway and home delivery services will remain unrestricted.
Meanwhile, marriage halls and banquet facilities across the province will be permitted to function between 8pm and midnight.
Earlier, under the direction of Shehbaz Sharif, the federal government had decided to close markets nationwide by 8pm as part of energy conservation measures, with provinces asked to implement the policy in consultation with local stakeholders.
Subsequently, Murad Ali Shah held consultations with representatives of the business community, including trade bodies in Karachi, before finalizing the revised timings for Sindh.
Other provinces, including Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have already enforced similar measures, with markets closing by 8pm except in divisional headquarters.
