News Desk: The federal government has revised business operating hours across Pakistan, allowing markets, shopping centres, and retail outlets to remain open until 9 PM as part of a seasonal adjustment aimed at accommodating longer daylight hours and soaring summer temperatures.
The decision was approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and takes effect immediately, according to an official notification issued by the Cabinet Division.
Under the revised schedule, commercial centres including markets, bazaars, shopping malls, departmental stores, grocery outlets, and neighborhood retail shops will be permitted to operate until 9 PM throughout the week.
Wedding halls, marquees, and other venues hosting social events will be required to conclude activities by 10 PM, while restaurants, cafés, food outlets, and independent fruit and vegetable vendors may continue business until 11 PM. However, takeaway and home delivery services will not be subject to these restrictions.
A number of essential and public service sectors have been exempted from the new operating hours. These include hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, diagnostic laboratories, bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, fuel stations, electric vehicle charging facilities, fitness centres, sports venues, information technology firms, and call centres.
The revised timings follow recommendations made by a federal committee overseeing the implementation of the government’s energy conservation and austerity policies. Officials cited extended daylight availability and increasing temperatures as key reasons behind the adjustment.
Provincial and regional governments have been advised to align their implementation mechanisms with the new schedule.
The move comes amid the continuation of Pakistan’s broader austerity campaign, which was introduced to reduce energy consumption and ease pressure on national resources during a period of global energy market uncertainty. Measures currently in place include restrictions on official fuel consumption, a reduction in the use of government vehicles, and limitations on non-essential foreign travel by public office holders.
Government officials believe the revised timings will provide relief to businesses and consumers while maintaining the objectives of energy management and economic activity during the summer season.
