In light of the decision taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, smart lockdown came into effect in the country on Tuesday, barring Sindh, as a part of the government’s austerity measures.
Under the lockdown, markets, shopping malls and departmental stores will be closed at 8:00 PM, while bakeries, restaurants will be closed at 10:00 PM.
Medical stores will, however, be exempted from these restrictions.
On the other hand, the Sindh government is engaged in consultations with the stakeholders regarding the imposition of the lockdown.
Intra-city transport in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad will be free.
The prime minister had said that the federal government would bear all the expenditures.
On Monday, 24News TV channel reported that the government had imposed a smart lockdown in Islamabad as part of its new austerity campaign.
Under the new measures, all markets and shopping malls in the capital will be closed by 8:00 pm, while wedding halls and restaurants will be required to shut by 10:00 pm.
Restaurants, however, will be allowed to remain open for delivery and take-away services beyond the closing hours.
The lockdown restrictions will not apply to bakeries, medical stores, petrol pumps, CNG stations, or tandoors, according to the official notification.
The smart lockdown is scheduled to take effect from Tuesday, the government said.
Punjab govt issues notification
The government of Punjab issued a notification on Tuesday for closure of shops, markets and malls at 8:00 pm.
All hotels, restaurants and food outlets will close at 10:00 pm. However, there will no bar on on takeaways and home deliveries.
All wedding halls, banquets and wedding ceremonies will wrap up at 10:00 pm. This ban will also apply to weddings held at homes and farmhouses.
Pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories and hospitals are exempt from the ban, the notification said.
Petrol pumps, CNG stations, tandoors, bakeries, milk and dairy shops are also exempted from this restrict.
