The federal government has approved new business timings across the country, allowing shops, markets and shopping malls to remain open until 9pm nationwide. Officials said the decision aims to support economic activity while also improving public convenience during extended daylight and rising seasonal temperatures.
Moreover, the decision was taken during a meeting of the Committee on Monitoring and Implementation of Austerity Measures, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The committee reviewed operational challenges and public needs before finalizing the revised business hours for the retail sector.
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Under the new schedule, all retail businesses, shops, markets and shopping centres will be permitted to operate until 9pm. In addition, restaurants, cafes and food outlets will be allowed to continue service until 11pm, providing extended hours for customers and boosting evening commercial activity.
However, officials clarified that essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies, petrol pumps, and IT and telecom services will remain fully exempt from any closing time restrictions. These sectors will continue operations based on demand, ensuring uninterrupted public access to critical services at all times.
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Meanwhile, wedding halls and event venues will not be included in the relaxation and will continue to follow the existing 10pm closing time. Authorities emphasized that the decision maintains a balance between social activity, regulatory control and responsible use of public resources.
Furthermore, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar instructed all provincial governments to ensure strict enforcement of the new timings. He stressed coordinated implementation across provinces to avoid inconsistencies and ensure that the revised policy is applied uniformly throughout the country.