Punjab govt lifts market closure timing restrictions until June 1

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Friday exempted all markets from previously issued closure timings of 8pm until June 1. In a notification dated May 15, the provincial government said that in reference to an April 6 notification, “all shops, markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, and food outlets are hereby exempted from the prescribed closure timings till June 1”. On April 6, the federal government had announced that all markets across the country, barring Sindh, would close by 8pm throughout the week as part of energy conservation measures amid a global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran. Complying with the federal government’s decision, Punjab notified that all shops, markets and shopping malls shall be closed at 8pm, including Saturday and Sunday. However, the government had exempted pharmacies, medical stores, medical supply stores, medical laboratories and hospitals from the order of early closure. Similarly, petrol pumps, CNG stations, as well as tandoors, bakeries and milk/dairy shops were exempt from the closure order. The notification had added that all hotels, restaurants and food outlets shall be closed by 10pm. However, there was no restriction on takeaway and home delivery services. It further stated that all marriage halls and marriage functions, including those organised at residences and farmhouses, shall be closed by 10pm. It should be noted that on Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended the countrywide austerity drive — launched in March in the wake of the global oil crisis — to June 13. The measures include a 50 per cent reduction in fuel allowance for official vehicles, with an exemption for operational vehicles such as ambulances and public buses. Other steps include grounding 60pc of official vehicles and a complete ban on foreign visits by ministers and government officials, except those deemed essential in the national interest, as previously specified.