Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved revised closing timings for businesses across the country with immediate effect, citing longer daylight hours and rising temperatures during the summer season.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division and shared by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on social media platform X, the decision applies to a wide range of commercial establishments. Under the revised schedule, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, departmental stores, grocery shops, general stores and kiryana shops will close at 9pm throughout the week.
Marriage halls, marquees and other event venues will close at 10pm, while restaurants, cafes, eateries, food outlets and standalone fruit and vegetable shops will remain open until 11pm. However, takeaway services and home delivery operations have been exempted from the restrictions.
The notification further stated that pharmacies, medical stores, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, bakeries, tandoors, milk and dairy shops, fuel stations, electric vehicle charging points, gyms, sports facilities, IT companies and call centres will also remain exempt.
Provincial and regional governments have been advised to implement the revised timings accordingly. The move follows earlier austerity measures aimed at reducing energy consumption, which included restrictions on operating hours and limits on official fuel usage, as part of broader efforts to manage economic and energy pressures amid Middle East crisis.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has revised the closing times for various business and commercial establishments across the province, citing longer daylight hours and rising summer temperatures.
According to a notification, the new timings have come into effect immediately and will remain in force until further orders.
Under the revised schedule issued by the Punjab govt, shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, departmental stores, grocery stores, general stores and kiryana shops will close at 9pm on all days of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays. Marriage halls, marquees and other venues hosting festive events will be required to close by 10pm.
Karachi
The notification circulating on social media regarding the operating timings of markets, restaurants, food outlets, shopping malls, and marriage halls in the name of the Home Department, Government of Sindh, is fake and fabricated. The Home Department has not issued any such notification.
The general public, business community, restaurant owners, shopping mall managements, and marriage hall operators are advised not to rely on or share unverified information circulating on social media. Legal action will be taken against those involved in creating, disseminating, or promoting fake notifications and misinformation.