LAHORE: The Punjab government still seems indecisive about adopting the austerity measures enforced by the federal government as the business community has shown reservations about early closure of markets.

“We, so far, have conducted three sessions with the traders to discuss the matter. But they (the traders) are not agreed on this and they asked questions about benefits of fixing timings of markets since the businesses are already disturbed due to the overall economic situation,” a senior official of the Punjab government revealed while talking to Dawn on Saturday.

“When we and our businesses are already in trouble, how the fixation of early closure timings at this crucial time will benefit the businesses. Will it help saving cost and fuel conservation? No,” the official quoted the traders as having said during the meetings with the representatives of the provincial government.

“But the discussions with the traders on this issue will continue in the coming days to reach a final decision,” he added.

Officers fail to convince recession-hit traders to follow austerity measures

The federal government had on Thursday (Sept 17) imposed a number of restrictions in a bid to conserve fuel and save the cost due to oil supply disruptions caused by the middle east conflict, leading to increase in the oil prices globally, affecting a number of countries, including Pakistan.

The restrictions reintroduced under the austerity measures included 9pm closure timing for shopping malls, markets, departmental and grocery stores, besides cutting fuel provision for official vehicles (except the armed forces, civil security institutions and law enforcement agencies) to 50pc.

“During the meetings, the traders said the fixing closure timings will not help save fuel cost as the people will continue visiting the markets for eating and other purposes. So, they were of the view to better not enforce the restrictions as done by the federal government,” the official explained, adding that the fuel prices are also fluctuating (low and high) on a daily basis, causing uncertainty in the official circles too.

In March this year, Punjab had imposed several cost-cutting measures and also restricted market timings before revising some of the measures in May to exempt gyms and other businesses. At the time, provinces simultaneously announced their austerity plans. However, this time, the Punjab is yet to decide.

It merits mentioning that the Punjab government had announced opening and closing timing of all commercial markets, shopping malls, shops (wholesale and retail) opened and closed by 9am and 10pm from Monday to Saturday. However, on Sundays, all of these businesses were allowed to operate from 2pm to 10pm. Similarly, all restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and other eateries were permitted to operate till 12am midnight from Friday to Sunday and at 11pm on Monday to Thursday.

Furthermore, the home delivery service was permitted till 2am only while the businesses exempted under the April’s notification from the closure timings included medical stores and pharmacies, hospitals, laboratories, petrol pumps, CNG stations, milk shops, tandoors and puncture shops. However, in May, the government exempted some more businesses from the timing’s restrictions, including sports facilities, gyms, IT companies and call centres.

“Let see what happens in the coming days as we will finally take a final decision in the light of more discussions with traders in the coming days, keeping in view the situation,” the official said.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2026