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  "path": "/news/1990483/sindh-implements-austerity-measures-notifies-early-market-closure-among-other-steps",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-10T08:48:47.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.dawn.com",
  "tags": [
    "Pakistan",
    "adopted",
    "decided",
    "announced"
  ],
  "textContent": "KARACHI: The Sindh government on Friday notified that all shops, markets and shopping malls in Karachi and other divisional headquarters of the province will close at 9pm throughout the week, including Saturday and Sunday, as part of austerity measures and in line with the federal government’s decision.\n\nIn a notification dated April 10, the provincial government further stated that markets, shops and shopping malls in districts other than divisional headquarters will close at 8pm.\n\nTandoors (as standalone shops), milk and dairy shops, bakeries, medical stores and pharmacies, medical laboratories, clinics and hospitals, as well as fuel stations, will remain exempt from the order.\n\nIt further stated that hotels, restaurants, and food outlets will be allowed to operate between 7pm and 11:30pm for dinner timings. However, there will be no restriction on home delivery and takeaway services.\n\nThe notification further stated that all marriage/wedding halls and banquets in the province will operate between 8pm and midnight.\n\n— Photo via author\n\nOver the past month, the government has adopted a host of austerity measures in the wake of the global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran.\n\nOn April 6, the federal government, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, decided that markets and shopping malls in the country, barring those in Sindh, would close by 8pm as part of energy conservation measures.\n\nIt was also decided that bakeries, restaurants, tandoors and other eateries could remain open until 10pm.\n\n“Marriage halls, marquees and other commercial centres where marriages take place will be closed by 10pm,” PM Shehbaz said during the meeting, according to the press release.\n\nAddressing the implementation of austerity measures in Sindh, the prime minister had said that consultations with stakeholders were underway.\n\nLater in the day, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah held a meeting with representatives of the business community and assured them that market timings in the province would be decided upon consultation.\n\nThe meeting was attended by representatives of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, and representatives of other businesses.\n\nOn April 5, the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments also announced energy conservation measures, with markets and shopping centres closing at 8pm except in divisional headquarters.",
  "title": "Sindh implements austerity measures, notifies early market closure among other steps"
}