The Government of Sindh has issued a notification introducing new timings for shops, markets, restaurants, and wedding halls as part of its austerity policy.
According to the notification, the new timings have come into effect immediately and will be enforced across all districts. In districts other than divisional headquarters, all shops, markets, and shopping malls must close by 8 PM. In divisional headquarters, businesses are allowed to remain open until 9 PM.
The orders will be effective throughout the week, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Certain essential services have been exempted from these restrictions. These include tandoors, milk and dairy shops, bakeries, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, and petrol pumps.
Restaurants, hotels, and food outlets have been permitted to operate only during dinner hours, from 7 PM to 11:30 PM. However, home delivery and takeaway services will remain unrestricted.
Wedding halls and banquet facilities are allowed to host events from 8 PM until midnight.
Authorities have directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure strict implementation of these measures in coordination with Sindh Police.
New timings announced for market closure in Islamabad
Islamabad district administration earlier issued a revised notification for the market closure in Islamabad. According to the new notification, all the markets in the federal capital will be closed at 8:00 PM.
The notification also confirmed that all the restaurants, hotels, food outlets, tandoors, grocery stores and karyana stores will close at 10:00 PM.
Similarly, marriage halls, marquees and all other commercial event venues will also be closed at 10:00 PM.
In the issued notification, it is also mentioned that all the events in private premises will also be closed at 10:00 PM.
However, the notification also said that these timings will not be applied to essential services, including pharmacies, petrol pumps and allied facilities.
DC Islamabad wrote in a post on X, “District Administration Islamabad has issued a revised notification (partial modification) under austerity measures. All shops, markets and shopping malls will close at 8:00 PM.
Restaurants, hotels, food outlets, tandoors, grocery stores and karyana stores will close at 10:00 PM (takeaway & delivery allowed).
Marriage halls, marquees and all other commercial event venues will also close by 10:00 PM, including events at private premises. Essential services, including pharmacies, petrol pumps and allied facilities, remain exempted. Effective from 7th April 2026 till further orders.”
