The federal government reintroduced austerity measures on Thursday in an effort to conserve fuel amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, setting 9pm as the time for closing markets and reducing fuel provision for official vehicles by 50 per cent for a period of three months.

The measures are to be implemented with immediate effect, the Cabinet Division’s notification detailing the government’s directives said.

According to the Sept 17 notification, seen by Dawn, businesses and commercial establishments are to close at following timings:

• Shops, markets, shopping malls and bazaars, as well as departmental, grocery, general and kiryana stores are to close by 9pm
• Marriage halls, marquees and all other commercial places where festive events are held are to close by 10pm
• Restaurants, cafés, eateries, and food outlets, as well as standalone fruit and vegetable shops are to close by 11pm. Takeaway and home delivery services are exempted from the restriction
• Pharmacies, medical and medical supplies’ stores, medical laboratories, clinics, hospitals, standalone bakeries, standalone tandoors, standalone milk and dairy shops, fuel and CNG stations, electrical vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities and sports/padel courts, IT companies and call centres are also exempted from any time restrictions.

Moreover, just a single dish should be served at all marriage-related functions or events, the notification said.

The Cabinet Division also detailed comprehensive instructions for government entities and officials.

These include the reduction in fuel provision by 50pc for official vehicles for three months.

Vehicles of armed forces, civil armed forces, vehicles in use of law enforcement agencies, those used for essential services and those in use of the Federal Board of Revenue are excluded from this restriction barring those of administrative or non-operational formations of these entities.

This measure is also not applicable in the case of development projects, according to the notification.

The government has also announced a 5pc reduction in the budget for non-employee related expenditures for FY2026-27, with deduction to be made on a monthly basis.

“This measure will also apply in the case of foreign missions and the officers/officials, belonging to any occupational group or service, posted in these missions; however, obligations relating to their rents, educational fees and medical care arrangements will be met,” the notification read, adding that this measure too was not applicable in case of development projects.

More to follow.