Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Austerity Measures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad today.

The Committee reviewed ongoing austerity measures in the context of market closing hours.

The Committee, in view of extended daylight and higher summer temperatures, decided to extend the closing hours of shops, markets, malls and general retail shops till 9:00 pm.

It also decided that restaurants, cafes and eateries will be closed down till 11:00 pm. However, takeaway and delivery services will be exempted.

The meeting decided that marriage halls and event venues will be closed at 10:00 pm. However, essential services like pharmacies, hospitals, fuel stations, IT and telecom-related services are exempted.

The Committee also directed the provincial governments to ensure effective implementation of these guidelines in coordination with federal authorities. It also considered and approved other matters and cases placed on the agenda.

The meeting was attended by the Ministers for Petroleum, Climate Change, Information, and IT and Telecommunications, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Finance, the Secretaries of Commerce, Cabinet, Petroleum, and IT and Telecommunications as well as senior officials from provincial governments.