The Sindh government on Friday announced revised business hours under a new fuel conservation policy aimed at curbing energy consumption.
Under the directives, markets in all districts, except divisional headquarters, will close at 8pm. In Karachi and other divisional headquarters, shops and shopping malls will remain open until 9pm.
Essential services, including tandoors, medical stores, milk shops, bakeries and petrol pumps, have been exempted from the restrictions.
Restaurants and hotels will be allowed to operate between 7pm and 11:30pm, while in Karachi, home delivery and takeaway services will continue without any curbs. Wedding halls and banquet facilities will be permitted to function from 8pm to midnight.
The provincial government has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure strict implementation of the measures in coordination with law enforcement authorities.
Earlier this month, the Federal Government of Pakistan decided to close markets across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir by 8pm as part of a broader energy-saving initiative.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting earlier this week to review austerity measures, energy conservation and petroleum consumption in light of the evolving regional situation involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
According to the federal decision, all bazaars, markets and shopping malls across the country, excluding Sindh, will close by 8pm. However, markets in divisional headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be allowed to operate until 9pm.
The 8pm deadline will also apply to departmental stores and shops dealing in essential commodities.
