PM Shehbaz Approves Revised Closing Hours for Shops and Markets

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has authorized new business closing hours across Pakistan, aiming to conserve energy amid rising summer temperatures and longer daylight hours. The revised timings, effective immediately, apply to various commercial establishments.

Markets, shopping malls, bazaars, departmental stores, grocery shops, general stores, and kiryana shops will now close at 9 PM every day. Marriage halls and festive event venues must shut down by 10 PM. Restaurants, cafes, eateries, food outlets, and standalone fruit and vegetable shops have until 11 PM, with takeaway and home delivery services exempt from this restriction.

However, several essential services are exempt from these new timings. Pharmacies, medical supply stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, fuel pumps, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, information technology companies, and call centers will continue to operate without time restrictions.

This move follows a recent meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Austerity Measures, which had recommended extending closing times to 9 PM. The government initially announced unprecedented austerity measures on March 9 in response to the global energy crisis, exacerbated by the Middle East war and potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz. The nationwide austerity drive was extended until June 13.