The Sindh government announced on Sunday that it was lifting restrictions imposed on operating hours for businesses and markets across the province “in the public interest” for a period of one week.
The decision of the provincial government came a day after the Punjab government signed off Ban on market closure at 9 pm, allowing traders and shopkeepers to take advantage of relaxations till the eve of Eid-ul-Adha, July 9.
The Sindh government on 17 June limited the operating hours of markets, shopping malls, wedding halls and restaurants across the province for a month until 16 July to conserve electricity during the ongoing “energy crisis emergency”.
Under the order, all markets, shops and shopping malls were ordered to be closed till 9 pm, with the exception of medical stores, pharmacies, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations, bakeries and milk shops.
In addition, marriage hall banquets and marriage ceremonies were to end by 10:30 pm, while hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and cafes were closed till 11 pm.
However, in a notification issued by the Sindh Home Department today, restrictions on the timing of closure of shops, restaurants, marriage halls and other such places have been withdrawn till July 10.
“Previous Notification [regarding restrictions] will come into force with immediate effect on July 11,” the provincial government said.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on 4 June demanded An ’emergency plan’ to end loadshedding and a few days later the government announced measures to contain the power crisis, including limiting market hours across the country for a period of 30 days.
Pakistan is currently facing energy crunch, with parts of the country witnessing hours of load shedding on a daily basis.