Summary Shops, departmental stores, markets, bazaars, and shopping malls will now remain open throughout the week with no fixed closing time.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday approved the removal of restrictions on business closing hours across the country until May 31, allowing commercial activities to continue without time limits previously enforced.
According to an official notification issued by the Cabinet Division, shops, departmental stores, markets, bazaars, and shopping malls will now remain open throughout the week with no fixed closing time.
The relaxation also extends to bakeries, tandoors, restaurants, and grocery stores, which are permitted to operate beyond earlier prescribed hours.
The decision follows similar relaxations already introduced by provincial governments. Punjab had extended flexible business hours until June 1, while also suspending the 8pm closure requirement for markets and commercial areas.
Read also: Punjab lifts 8pm market closure restriction until June 1
In Sindh, authorities announced easing of restrictions on May 16, exempting markets, malls, restaurants, hotels, and marriage halls from fixed timings to encourage economic activity.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan also lifted curbs on business hours and ended smart lockdown measures across their respective regions.
Previously, business timings were restricted nationwide last month as part of energy-saving measures introduced in response to rising fuel costs linked to tensions in the Middle East.
These steps were part of the federal government’s broader austerity and fuel conservation strategy aimed at reducing energy consumption.
