ISLAMABAD: The federal government has prolonged its nationwide austerity and fuel conservation initiative until 30 June, alongside introducing revised operating hours for commercial establishments, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures.
The Committee reviewed several cases submitted by various Ministries and… pic.twitter.com/22XYEe39S2
— Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (@DPM_PK) June 10, 2026
The committee reviewed multiple exemption requests submitted by various ministries and departments before finalising its updated recommendations.
As part of the latest adjustments, consular attestation services under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with its liaison offices in Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, Gujrat, and Lahore, will continue to operate on Fridays. The move has been introduced to facilitate public service delivery and reduce inconvenience for applicants.
The committee also agreed to extend the validity of the existing austerity framework—originally scheduled to expire on 13 June 2026—through to the end of June.
In a further relaxation for retail activity, standalone grocery and kiryana stores will now be permitted to remain open until 10pm daily, including weekends, reflecting a partial easing of earlier restrictions.
Previously, the government had issued a formal notification outlining revised closing times for businesses under its energy-saving policy, instructing provincial administrations to ensure strict enforcement.
Under the updated schedule, general shops, markets, and shopping malls are required to shut by 9pm, while restaurants, cafés, and other dining establishments may continue operations until 11pm. However, takeaway and home delivery services remain exempt from these curbs, allowing uninterrupted service.
Marriage halls and event venues will continue to observe a 10pm closing time, with no changes announced for their operating limits.
Essential services—including hospitals, pharmacies, petrol stations, and information technology and telecommunications operations—remain outside the scope of these restrictions.
The committee further instructed provincial governments to strengthen coordination with federal authorities to ensure consistent implementation of the revised guidelines across the country.
The austerity drive was initially launched in April as part of a broader energy conservation strategy aimed at reducing fuel consumption amid rising costs linked to regional tensions in the Middle East.
The measures were briefly relaxed around Eid-ul-Adha, with both federal and provincial authorities granting temporary exemptions during May.
