Karachi, April 10 The Sindh province government of Pakistan ordered all markets, shopping malls, shops, restaurants, and wedding halls in Karachi and other major cities to close early each day, as part of austerity measures amid the West Asia conflict.
According to a government notification, all markets, shopping malls, and shops will now close by 9:00 p.m. every day, which is unusual in Karachi due to its vibrant nightlife.
The notification stated that restaurants will serve dinner between 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., while wedding halls will operate from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Markets, shopping malls, restaurants, and wedding halls typically operate well beyond midnight in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city.
This decision comes after the federal government earlier this week announced that markets and shopping malls across Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will close by 8 p.m.
The Sindh Home Department said the decision was taken to address the fuel crisis in the wake of the West Asia war, adding that the order would be implemented immediately.
"The decision is aimed at supporting the government's focus on energy-saving strategies, petroleum products, and austerity initiatives," the notification said.
The notification also stated that essential services, including bakeries, milk and dairy shops, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, and petrol stations, would be exempted from the restrictions.
Fuel prices soared across Pakistan, which relies on imports for its fuel and oil supplies, following the West Asia conflict.
Petrol prices have increased, and high-octane petrol is currently being sold for over PKR 500 per litre. Diesel is being sold for PKR 440 per litre.
A government report last year said that about 40 per cent of Pakistan's imported fuel is used to power the 30 million two-wheelers and three-wheeled auto rickshaws that dominate roads in Pakistan, where public transport is inadequate.
Last week, in response to surging petrol prices, the Sindh government announced a monthly PKR 2,000 subsidy for registered motorcycles in the province.