Friday Holiday Scrapped Amid Petrol Price Policy Changes

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the withdrawal of multiple austerity measures that were introduced on March 9 in response to rising global fuel prices exacerbated by the Iran-US conflict. This decision includes the scrapping of the Friday holiday previously granted to reduce fuel consumption.

The government, through an official notification from the Cabinet Division, announced the reinstatement of full fuel quotas for government officials along with the removal of restrictions that required grounding 60 percent of government vehicles. The measures allowing work-from-home and extended holidays have also come to an end.

Despite lifting these fuel-saving steps, the government has decided to maintain the commercial market timings implemented earlier in June. Retail shops, markets, and shopping malls are required to close by 9:00 PM daily. Marriage halls and event venues must conclude operations by 10:00 PM, while restaurants, cafes, and food outlets are permitted to remain open until 11:00 PM. Home delivery and takeaway services continue to operate without timing limits.

Certain essential services such as pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, bakeries, tandoors, and milk shops are exempt from operating hour restrictions. Petrol pumps, CNG stations, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports complexes, IT companies, and call centers will also continue normal operations without timing constraints.

This development reflects the government’s shift in strategy following fuel price announcements, indicating an easing of prior austerity controls aimed at managing the impact of the global fuel price surge. The reinstatement of the working schedule, including the discontinuation of the Friday off, signals an effort to return to regular business operations.

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