The provincial administrations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have issued directives to curtail operating hours of various commercial and social establishments to conserve energy. These measures are part of broader efforts to reduce electricity consumption amid rising fuel prices and energy shortages.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s New Regulations
According to a notification from the KP chief secretary, markets, shopping malls, and other commercial centers in divisional headquarters must close by 9 pm. In other districts, these establishments are instructed to shut down by 8 pm. Restaurants, cafes, and eateries are required to cease operations by 10 pm, although takeout and delivery services are permitted to continue. Similar timing applies to wedding halls, marquees, and event venues, which should wrap up by 10 pm.
Private offices, banks, gyms, and educational institutions are also subject to these restrictions. Essential services such as hospitals, laboratories, and emergency response units are exempted, as are pharmacies, which will remain open 24 hours but only for medicines. Tandoors, petrol stations, and public transport services have received partial exemptions.
Lighting restrictions have been introduced, including bans on decorative and floodlights at commercial and public venues. Authorities have also ordered the closure of billboards, LED screens, and signboards, alongside restrictions on the use of air conditioning, lifts, and escalators outside business hours. Use of generators for non-essential activities has been prohibited.
Government offices are instructed to switch off electrical devices when not in use, and after-hours non-essential activities are banned unless in emergencies. Deputy commissioners will oversee enforcement, with violations risking inspections and legal action.
Balochistan’s Similar Measures
Balochistan’s Home Department announced comparable restrictions, citing fuel subsidy measures and energy conservation efforts supervised by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. Markets and shopping centers must close by 8 pm, while pharmacies, tandoors, and nanbais are excluded from these restrictions. Wedding and banquet halls, along with hotel and restaurant operations, should cease by 10 pm.
The government aims to alleviate energy shortages and reduce public burden through these initiatives, with district authorities tasked with strict enforcement.
Context: Rising Energy Costs and Geopolitical Tensions
The energy-saving directives come amidst soaring fuel prices driven by global conflicts in the Middle East, notably the recent escalation involving the US, Israel, and Iran. The disruption of oil supplies, including Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has significantly impacted Pakistan’s energy economy.
In response, Pakistan increased fuel prices, with petrol rising by Rs55 to Rs458.41 per liter and diesel by Rs55 to Rs520.35 per liter. The government also announced austerity measures such as a four-day workweek, reduced fuel allowances, and a 20% cut in departmental expenditures.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently announced a temporary reduction in petrol prices to Rs378 per liter and introduced relief packages for transporters and farmers. He also extended salary foregone commitments by cabinet members to six months as part of ongoing austerity efforts.
