ISLAMABAD : — Chief Commissioner and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday to mandate strict austerity and fuel conservation measures across the federal capital. Effective immediately, all shops, markets, and shopping malls must close by 8:00 PM to comply with Federal Government directives aimed at reducing national energy consumption.

The session was attended by high-ranking officials, including IG Islamabad Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi and DC Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon. The leadership confirmed that these measures are designed to curb fuel usage and will be strictly enforced through a coordinated strategy between the district administration and law enforcement.

New Closing Hours for Businesses and Social Venues

To ensure nationwide energy savings, the administration has categorized closing times based on the type of commercial activity. The following schedule applies throughout the week:

Shops, Bazaars, and Malls: Must close by 8:00 PM.
Restaurants, Bakeries, and Grocery Stores: Must close by 10:00 PM.
Marriage Halls and Social Marquees: Must close by 10:00 PM.
Exemptions: Pharmacies and medical stores are exempt and may remain open.

Strict Legal Action and Monitoring Mechanisms

Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf emphasized that these austerity and fuel conservation measures apply equally to both urban and rural areas of Islamabad. He directed the formation of a joint team comprising the district administration and police to monitor compliance.

IG Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi assured that the Islamabad Police will work in tandem with civil authorities to enforce the government’s "letter and spirit" directives. Any business found operating past the prescribed hours will face strict legal action in accordance with the law.

Stakeholder Engagement and Awareness

DC Irfan Nawaz Memon briefed the chair that the administration is actively engaging with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and various trader associations.

Public awareness campaigns have been launched across various markets and markazs to ensure the business community is fully informed. This collaborative approach aims to minimize economic disruption while achieving the critical goal of energy preservation.