Power crisis hits hard: Pakistan orders early shutdown of markets nationwide, barring Sindh

The decision was taken on Monday during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office and cited by Dawn News, markets in divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be allowed to remain open until 9 pm. Consultations are ongoing regarding revised business hours in Sindh.

In the rest of the country—including Punjab, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir—markets and shopping malls will shut by 8 pm.

The meeting also decided that bakeries, restaurants, tandoors and other food outlets must close by 10 pm. Marriage halls, marquees and other venues hosting wedding ceremonies will follow the same closing time.

Restrictions will also apply to private events, with wedding functions at homes prohibited beyond 10 pm.

Medical stores and pharmacies, however, have been exempted from these timing restrictions.

The new regulations will come into effect from April 7.

The measures come amid an intensifying regional energy crunch linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis.