The federal government has extended austerity and fuel conservation measures until June 30 while revising business hours nationwide. The Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures, chaired by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, reviewed exemption requests from ministries and finalized updated guidelines. Grocery stores will close at 10pm, retail outlets at 9pm, restaurants at 11pm, and marriage halls at 10pm. Essential services like hospitals, pharmacies, IT services, and petrol stations remain exempt. Provincial authorities are tasked with ensuring effective implementation of these regulations to reduce energy consumption amid rising costs.
