The federal government of Pakistan has officially extended market operating hours nationwide, allowing shops and markets to remain open until 9:00 PM and restaurants until 11:00 PM.
This decision, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and notified by the Cabinet Division, takes effect immediately. The relaxation is intended to accommodate longer daylight hours and rising temperatures during the summer season.
Under the revised business timings, shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, departmental stores, grocery stores, and kiryana shops will close at 9pm throughout the week, including weekends.
Marriage halls, marquees, and other event venues will be allowed to operate until 10pm, while restaurants, cafés, food outlets, and standalone fruit and vegetable shops may remain open until 11pm. Home delivery and takeaway services will not be affected by the new restrictions.
Several essential and service-oriented businesses have been exempted from the prescribed closing times, including pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, fuel and CNG stations, electric vehicle charging facilities, gyms, sports complexes, padel courts, IT firms, and call centers.
Provincial and regional authorities have been directed to implement and enforce the revised operating hours.
