Islamabad Imposes 8 PM Market Closure, 10 PM Deadline for Restaurants Amid Austerity Drive

Date: Apr 08, 2026

ISLAMABAD: April 7, 2026: An important meeting was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Sohail Ashraf regarding the implementation of austerity and fuel conservation measures in the Federal Capital Islamabad. The meeting was attended by Inspector General (IG) Islamabad Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, district administration and senior officers of CDA and Islamabad Police. The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Federal Government's directions regarding austerity and fuel conservation measures. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon and relevant officers while briefing on the steps taken to ensure full implementation of the direction, informed that all measures for austerity and fuel conservation are being enforced immediately. It was further briefed that in the Federal Capital Islamabad, all shops, departmental stores, bazaars, markets and shopping malls will close at 8:00 PM throughout the week, and strict legal action will be taken in case of violations. Similarly, bakeries, restaurants tandoors and grocery stores will be completely closed at 10:00 PM throughout the week. It was further informed during the briefing that action will be taken against violators in accordance with the law. The meeting was informed that marriage halls, marquees and all other commercial venues hosting events and social gatherings will also be closed at 10:00 PM throughout the week, while pharmacies and medical stores will be exempted from these prescribed timings. The meeting was further apprised that all stakeholders are being taken on board to ensure full implementation of these measures. In this regard, meetings are being held with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, trader associations, market committees, and the business community, while announcements and awareness campaigns have also been launched in various markets and markazs. Inspector General (IG) Islamabad Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said that Islamabad Police will work in coordination with the district administration to ensure implementation of these measures. He emphasized that the direction issued by the government will be implemented in true letter and spirit. Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf said that the district administration and Islamabad Police should work as a joint team to ensure complete implementation of SOP's and that all related business activities must be completely closed by 10:00 PM. Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf further directed that the Federal government directions should be implemented equally in both urban and rural areas. He stressed the need to devise an effective monitoring mechanism in this regard and added that all relevant institutions should ensure full implementation of Federal Government directives in the capital Islamabad through a coordinated strategy.