Pakistan has imposed new austerity measures aimed at conserving fuel and ordered markets to close by 9pm, following days of disruptive protests that the government says are costing the economy roughly Rs120bn per day.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar described the daily losses from the sit-ins and demonstrations as "self-inflicted pain," warning that the disruptions were worsening an already strained macroeconomic outlook. The government's emergency measures come amid escalating unrest across major cities, where labor unions and opposition groups have staged blockades that have paralyzed trade and commercial activity.
Under the newly reintroduced fuel-conservation protocol, businesses and financial markets will be required to shut their doors by 9pm each evening. Authorities also plan to restrict non-essential fuel usage and reduce operating hours for state-owned enterprises.
The move signals a sharp escalation in Islamabad's efforts to contain both the fiscal deficit and the street-level turmoil that has compounded pressures on the country's foreign-exchange reserves and balance of payments.
Economic losses from the protests — estimated at Rs120bn daily — have added urgency to the government's plan. Commercial activity along major trade corridors has been disrupted for days, affecting everything from logistics and manufacturing to retail and services. The finance minister cautioned that prolonged disruptions could undermine recent fiscal consolidation gains and delay repayment schedules tied to existing standby arrangements with international lenders.
Analysts note the dual challenge facing the government: curbing fuel imports to preserve hard currency while managing a public-sector wage bill and subsidy burden that continues to weigh on the budget deficit. The revised curfew and market-closure rules are expected to take effect immediately.
