Government Ends Most Austerity Measures After Petrol Price Relief
The federal government has rolled back several fuel conservation and austerity measures introduced in March 2026, following approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to an official notification issued by the Cabinet Division.
The decision comes after a significant reduction in petroleum product prices announced earlier this week. The new order takes immediate effect, ending many of the emergency restrictions that had been imposed during the period of heightened economic pressure.
However, revised market closing hours introduced in early June will continue for now. Under the existing schedule, shops, markets, shopping malls, and general stores are required to close by 9:00 PM.
Event venues such as marriage halls and marquees will remain open until 10:00 PM, while restaurants, cafés, grocery stores, and similar outlets must close by 11:00 PM. Takeaway and home delivery services are exempt from these restrictions.
Certain essential services will continue to operate without time limits. These include hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, bakeries, milk and dairy shops, petrol stations, CNG stations, EV charging points, gyms, and call centres.
Government offices will also see a partial restoration of earlier practices, including the return of the Friday weekly holiday and the reinstatement of full fuel allowances for official vehicles. In addition, restrictions that had limited government vehicle usage during the austerity period have now been lifted.
Some earlier cost-saving measures introduced before March 2026 will remain in place as part of ongoing fiscal policy adjustments.
