The federal government relaxed Business Hours restrictions on Tuesday, allowing shops, markets, malls and general retail outlets across Pakistan to close at 9pm during the summer season.
Restaurants, cafes and eateries can now operate until 11pm, according to a statement issued by the office of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
The decision came during a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Austerity Measures. Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting, which reviewed operating hours in view of longer daylight hours and rising temperatures.
Takeaway and delivery services will remain exempt from the restriction. However, marriage halls and event venues will continue to close at 10pm under the existing schedule.
The federal government said essential services will also remain exempt. These include pharmacies, hospitals, fuel stations, and IT and telecom-related services.
The committee directed provincial governments to ensure effective implementation of the revised guidelines in coordination with federal authorities.
Ministers for petroleum, climate change, information, IT and telecommunications attended the meeting. Special assistants to the prime minister and the DPM also joined the session.
Secretaries of commerce, cabinet, petroleum, IT and telecommunications, along with senior provincial officials, also participated.
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The federal and provincial governments had imposed limits on business operating hours in April as part of energy conservation measures. Officials introduced the restrictions after domestic fuel prices rose sharply due to tensions in the Middle East.
The restrictions formed part of the federal government’s wider austerity and fuel-conservation plan. The policy aimed to reduce energy use amid rising fuel costs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved a temporary nationwide exemption from closure timings until May 31 ahead of Eid ul Adha, observed from May 27 to 29.
Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan had also announced relaxations in market timings before the latest federal decision.
