Islamabad Businesses Hit by Fresh Early Closure Orders
News Desk
Islamabad: Businesses across Islamabad will operate under stricter closing hours from this week after the capital administration imposed fresh restrictions aimed at reducing energy consumption amid rising global fuel prices and supply concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Under a notification issued by the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICT), markets and shopping malls are now required to close by 8pm, while restaurants, food outlets, tandoors, grocery stores, bakeries, and fruit and vegetable shops must shut by 10pm.
The revised schedule, which came into effect on June 1, also applies to wedding halls, marquees, and event lawns, which will no longer be permitted to operate beyond 10pm.
Authorities said the measures form part of a broader energy conservation strategy designed to curb electricity usage during peak hours as Pakistan grapples with increasing fuel import costs and uncertainty in global energy markets.
Essential services have been exempted from the restrictions. Hospitals, pharmacies, medical stores, petrol pumps, and CNG stations will continue operating according to their existing schedules.
The latest curbs mark a shift from the temporary relaxation of business hours introduced earlier this year, when authorities extended operating times to support commercial activity.
However, renewed concerns over energy availability and mounting fuel costs have prompted policymakers to reintroduce tighter controls in the federal capital.
Pakistan remains heavily dependent on imported energy resources, including liquefied natural gas and petroleum products. Recent volatility in international markets, driven by the ongoing US-Iran conflict and disruptions to regional shipping routes, has increased pressure on energy supplies and costs, prompting governments to revisit conservation measures.
Officials say the revised timings are intended to strike a balance between economic activity and responsible energy use as the country navigates growing challenges in the energy sector.
