Karachi, April 10, 2026: The Sindh government has enforced new operating hours for markets, restaurants and wedding halls across the province with immediate effect, as part of its austerity policy aimed at conserving fuel amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The move follows the federal government’s decision to close markets and shopping malls at 8pm across all provinces—except Sindh—from April 7, reflecting coordinated efforts to manage the country’s energy consumption during a period of global uncertainty.
According to a notification issued by the Home Department, all shops, markets and shopping malls in districts other than divisional headquarters will close at 8pm throughout the week, including weekends. In divisional headquarters, these businesses will be permitted to operate until 9pm.
However, essential services have been exempted from the order. These include standalone tandoors, milk and dairy shops, bakeries, medical stores and pharmacies, as well as medical laboratories, clinics, hospitals and fuel stations.
The notification further states that hotels, restaurants and other food outlets will be allowed to operate only during dinner hours—from 7pm to 11:30pm—while home delivery and takeaway services will remain unaffected.
Marriage halls and banquet facilities have also been assigned specific timings and will be permitted to operate between 8pm and 12 midnight.
The provincial government has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners, with the support of Sindh Police, to ensure strict implementation of these measures in their respective jurisdictions.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported oil, has been significantly affected by the energy crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran, as global supply disruptions and rising prices continue to strain the national economy.
In response, both federal and provincial governments have introduced austerity measures alongside targeted and general fuel subsidies to cushion the impact of the crisis on consumers and stabilise economic conditions.
Meanwhile, as Iranian and US delegations prepare to arrive in Islamabad for high-stakes peace talks, oil prices continue to climb amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Experts warn that even if the conflict ends soon, it may take considerable time for fuel, food and other commodity prices to stabilise.
