Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a relaxation in restrictions on the operating hours of shops and markets. All shops, bazaars, markets and shopping malls have been granted an exemption from the previously imposed limitations.
According to details, under the federal government’s decision, all shops, markets and shopping malls will remain exempt from operating-hours restrictions until 31 May. Bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores have also been included in the exemption.
The federal government stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision would come into immediate effect, and an official notification has already been issued. The Prime Minister has temporarily exempted all shops, shopping malls and markets from the notification issued on 6 April.
It is worth noting that earlier, the district administration of Islamabad had declared circulating notifications regarding changes in business operating hours to be fake.
According to a statement issued two days earlier by the district administration’s spokesperson, no changes had been made to business operating hours in Islamabad, nor had any official notification been issued in this regard.
The spokesperson added that the current business timings would remain in place under the government’s austerity campaign.
They further clarified that if any future changes were decided upon, a formal notification would be issued accordingly.
