Blab News
Pakistan Withdraws Fuel-Conservation Measures, Keeps Business Closing Times Unchanged
In a swift move that signals the easing of Pakistan’s fuel crisis, the federal government has scrapped all emergency austerity measures introduced earlier this year, while leaving business closing times unchanged. The Cabinet Division issued notification No. 7‑2/2026‑Min.I, effective immediately, after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the decision.
The rollback follows a sharp reduction in petroleum prices announced on Friday, 18 June 2026. Petrol fell to Rs 373.78 per litre and diesel to Rs 378.78 per litre, a drop of roughly Rs 74 and Rs 67, respectively. The cut is part of a broader effort to ease fuel costs for consumers and businesses.
Although the emergency measures are being rolled back, the government has decided to keep the market‑closing hours set on 3 June and 10 June 2026 in place. Under the existing schedule:
Shops, markets, shopping malls, departmental and general stores must close by 9:00 PM. Marriage halls, marquees and other commercial event venues close at 10:00 PM. * Restaurants, cafés, eateries, standalone fruit and vegetable shops, grocery and kiryana stores close by 11:00 PM; home‑delivery and takeaway services are exempt.
Exemptions also apply to pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, petrol and CNG pumps, electric‑vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, IT companies and call centres.
Austerity measures that were already in effect before 9 March 2026 remain unchanged. The rollback also restores several government facilities that had been suspended during the fuel‑conservation drive:
The Friday weekly holiday is reinstated. The full official fuel allowance for government vehicles is restored. * The decision that kept 60 percent of government vehicles off the road is withdrawn.
The emergency measures were originally introduced in response to the US‑Israel war on Iran, which disrupted oil and gas supplies and triggered a regional fuel crisis. They included a 50 percent cut in fuel allowances for official vehicles and a temporary suspension of certain government services.
The Cabinet Division’s notification confirms that the withdrawal of the measures is a direct result of the price reduction and the improved fuel situation. No new restrictions on business hours were introduced, and the government has stated that the existing schedule will remain until further notice.
The decision is expected to ease the operational burden on businesses that had to adjust to earlier closing times. However, the unchanged closing hours mean that many retailers and service providers will continue to operate under the same time constraints for the foreseeable future.
The government’s move is part of a broader effort to restore normalcy after a period of economic strain. The price cut on petroleum products was welcomed by consumer groups and is seen as a step toward stabilising inflation.
The Cabinet Division’s notification is available in the official gazette and can be accessed through the government’s online portal. The decision does not affect the ongoing monitoring of fuel consumption or the government’s long‑term energy policy.
In the coming weeks, the government will monitor the impact of the price reduction on fuel consumption and economic activity. No further changes to business closing times have been announced.
The rollback of austerity measures reflects the government’s assessment that the fuel crisis has abated and that the earlier restrictions are no longer necessary. The decision is expected to provide relief to businesses and consumers while maintaining essential exemptions for critical services.
The government has not announced any additional policy changes at this time. Stakeholders are advised to continue following official communications for any future updates.
The rollback follows a sharp reduction in petroleum prices announced on Friday, 18 June 2026. Petrol fell to Rs 373.78 per litre and diesel to Rs 378.78 per litre, a drop of roughly Rs 74 and Rs 67, respectively. The cut is part of a broader effort to ease fuel costs for consumers and businesses.
Although the emergency measures are being rolled back, the government has decided to keep the market‑closing hours set on 3 June and 10 June 2026 in place. Under the existing schedule:
Shops, markets, shopping malls, departmental and general stores must close by 9:00 PM. Marriage halls, marquees and other commercial event venues close at 10:00 PM. * Restaurants, cafés, eateries, standalone fruit and vegetable shops, grocery and kiryana stores close by 11:00 PM; home‑delivery and takeaway services are exempt.
Exemptions also apply to pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, petrol and CNG pumps, electric‑vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, IT companies and call centres.
Austerity measures that were already in effect before 9 March 2026 remain unchanged. The rollback also restores several government facilities that had been suspended during the fuel‑conservation drive:
The Friday weekly holiday is reinstated. The full official fuel allowance for government vehicles is restored. * The decision that kept 60 percent of government vehicles off the road is withdrawn.
The emergency measures were originally introduced in response to the US‑Israel war on Iran, which disrupted oil and gas supplies and triggered a regional fuel crisis. They included a 50 percent cut in fuel allowances for official vehicles and a temporary suspension of certain government services.
The Cabinet Division’s notification confirms that the withdrawal of the measures is a direct result of the price reduction and the improved fuel situation. No new restrictions on business hours were introduced, and the government has stated that the existing schedule will remain until further notice.
The decision is expected to ease the operational burden on businesses that had to adjust to earlier closing times. However, the unchanged closing hours mean that many retailers and service providers will continue to operate under the same time constraints for the foreseeable future.
The government’s move is part of a broader effort to restore normalcy after a period of economic strain. The price cut on petroleum products was welcomed by consumer groups and is seen as a step toward stabilising inflation.
The Cabinet Division’s notification is available in the official gazette and can be accessed through the government’s online portal. The decision does not affect the ongoing monitoring of fuel consumption or the government’s long‑term energy policy.
In the coming weeks, the government will monitor the impact of the price reduction on fuel consumption and economic activity. No further changes to business closing times have been announced.
The rollback of austerity measures reflects the government’s assessment that the fuel crisis has abated and that the earlier restrictions are no longer necessary. The decision is expected to provide relief to businesses and consumers while maintaining essential exemptions for critical services.
The government has not announced any additional policy changes at this time. Stakeholders are advised to continue following official communications for any future updates.
