Islamabad — Fresh austerity measures are back on the table, and this time the government isn’t easing off. Shops, malls and restaurants across the country now face strict closing hours as the Cabinet Division moves to conserve fuel amid a worsening Gulf energy crunch.
The notification, issued Thursday, takes effect immediately and applies nationwide for the next three months.
What the New Notification Says
The core of these austerity measures is simple businesses close earlier, and fuel spending drops sharply. Shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, and grocery and kiryana stores must shut by 9pm, seven days a week.
Marriage halls and marquees get an extra hour, closing at 10pm. Restaurants, cafés and food outlets can stay open until 11pm — though the rules bite:
- Shops, malls, bazaars, kiryana stores: close by 9pm
- Marriage halls, marquees, event venues: close by 10pm
- Restaurants, cafés, food outlets: close by 11pm
- Takeaway and home delivery: exempt from the 11pm cutoff
Fuel Cuts and Budget Reductions Behind the Push
Beyond shop timings, these austerity measures hit government fuel use directly. Official vehicle fuel allocations are being slashed by 50 percent with immediate effect.
The Non-ERE budget for FY2026-27 will also shrink by 5 percent, with departments deducting the cut monthly. A blanket ban on purchasing new government vehicles has also been imposed, alongside a halt on buying most durable goods except IT equipment.
Why Austerity Measures Are Back Now
This isn’t Pakistan’s first attempt at this. Similar restrictions were first rolled out in June, only to be largely withdrawn by June 21, when officials restored full petrol allowances and returned up to 60 percent of the government fleet to the road.
The reversal didn’t last. Renewed tensions in the Middle East have pushed global oil markets into fresh turmoil, squeezing Pakistan’s import bill just as domestic fuel and LPG prices climb.
Masood Nabi, chief executive of state importer Pakistan LNG, told an industry gathering that while solar power has eased some of the country’s electricity strain in recent years, Pakistan still relies heavily on gas for other sectors and households — a reminder that the fuel squeeze runs deeper than transport alone.
Who Is Exempt From the New Timings
Not every business is affected equally under these austerity measures. The Cabinet Division carved out a list of essential sectors that can keep operating regardless of the clock.
Exempted categories include:
- Pharmacies, hospitals, clinics and medical laboratories
- Standalone bakeries, tandoors, and milk and dairy shops
- Fuel and CNG stations, EV charging points
- Gyms, sports facilities and courts
- IT companies and call centres
Officials say exemption requests for other businesses will be reviewed case by case before approval.
One-Dish Weddings and a Freeze on Official Events
The austerity measures also reach into how Pakistanis celebrate and how bureaucrats spend. Wedding ceremonies are now restricted to a single dish, part of a broader push to curb ostentatious spending during a fuel crunch.
READ MORE: Govt Weighs ‘Petroleum Smart Lockdown’ as Fuel Prices Keep Climbing
On the official side, government-funded seminars, training sessions and conferences are banned outright. Departments needing to hold essential events must use government auditoriums and committee rooms rather than hiring private venues, and a ban on foreign official visits has also been imposed, except where foreign delegations are directly involved.
A Familiar Cycle: Austerity Measures Timeline
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| June 19, 2026 | First round of austerity measures introduced |
| June 21, 2026 | Most restrictions withdrawn; fuel allowances restored |
| Sept 17, 2026 | Fresh austerity measures reintroduced amid Gulf tensions |
Market and restaurant timing restrictions, notably, never fully went away even after the June rollback — they’re simply being reinforced now alongside tighter fuel and budget controls.
Industry Reaction and What Businesses Are Saying
Traders and restaurant owners have been here before, and reaction has been mixed. Retailers in evening-heavy markets worry about lost footfall during peak shopping hours, while some restaurant operators note that the delivery and takeaway exemption softens the blow.
For now, official commentary has focused on necessity rather than negotiation, with the Cabinet Division framing the measures as unavoidable given the scale of the fuel price shock.
What It Means for Ordinary Pakistanis
For shoppers and diners, these austerity measures mean adjusted routines — earlier grocery runs, tighter wedding budgets, and a shift toward delivery apps after 11pm. For government departments, it means leaner travel, fewer official cars on the road, and slimmer training budgets for the next three months.
This round holds longer than June’s short-lived attempt will likely depend on how the Gulf situation, and oil prices, evolve in the coming weeks.
