New closing time for market, malls, marriage halls and celebratory gatherings, even those arranged at homes, has been announced. The decision was made during a high-level session chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday.
New markets closing time
In a meeting on petroleum products chaired by PM Shehbaz, it was decided to close bazaars, markets, and shopping malls across the country at 8 PM.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, daily necessities shops, departmental stores, and malls will also close at 8 PM as well.
Additionally, according to the statement, bakeries, restaurants, tandoors, and food and beverage shops will be closed at 10 pm, while marriage halls and marquees will also remain closed after 10 PM.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said that it has been decided to ban wedding ceremonies in private properties and homes after 10 pm.
The meeting decided that the working hours of medical stores and pharmacies will be exempted from these restrictions.
The decisions taken in the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister will be implemented from April 7.
These timings will be implemented in Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The markets and shopping malls in the divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be allowed to remain open until 9 PM.
In the briefing given at the meeting, it was informed that the consultation process on markets and other working hours is underway in Sindh.
According to the Prime Minister’s House, inter-city public transport in Gilgit city and Muzaffarabad city will be free for one month.
It has further been decided to close markets in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan at 8 PM.
The meeting decided that wedding ceremonies in private properties and homes will be banned after 10 PM, while the working hours of medical stores and pharmacies will be exempt from these restrictions.
However, consultations are still ongoing about Sindh.
