KARACHI: The Sindh government on Saturday exempted shops, markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, marriage halls and marquees from previously imposed closure timings introduced under austerity measures.
According to a notification issued by the Sindh government, all commercial establishments covered under earlier restrictions would now remain exempt from prescribed closing times.
The restrictions had originally been introduced on April 10 as part of measures aimed at managing the fuel situation amid tensions in the Middle East.
Under those revised timings, shopping malls in districts outside divisional headquarters were required to close at 8 pm, while businesses in divisional headquarters could remain open until 9 pm.
Restaurants and food outlets had been allowed dine-in services between 7 pm and 11:30 pm, while marriage halls and marquees were permitted to operate from 8 pm to midnight.
Essential services including hospitals, pharmacies, bakeries and petrol stations remained exempt from the restrictions.
The move follows a similar decision by the Punjab government, which on Friday relaxed market operating hours across Lahore until June 1 ahead of Eidul Azha shopping activity.
Under the revised arrangement, businesses in Lahore have been allowed to remain open until 10 pm.
Lahore Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Muhammad Ali Ejaz said the decision was taken to facilitate traders and address demands from the business community during the peak retail season before Eidul Azha.
In April, the federal government had earlier introduced austerity measures covering Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
