Govt revises business closing hours, markets to shut at 9pm nationwide

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved revised operating hours for businesses and commercial establishments across the country under the government's fuel conservation and austerity measures, extending closing times in view of longer daylight hours and rising summer temperatures.

According to a Cabinet Division notification issued on June 3, the revised timings take immediate effect and supersede the earlier schedule notified on April 6, 2026.

Under the new framework, shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, departmental stores, grocery stores, general stores and kiryana shops will be allowed to remain open until 9:00 pm on all days of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays.

Marriage halls, marquees and other commercial venues hosting festive events will be permitted to operate until 10:00 pm.

Restaurants, cafés, eateries, food outlets and standalone fruit and vegetable shops may remain open until 11:00 pm. 

The notification states that takeaway and home delivery services will remain exempt from the closing-hour restrictions.

The government has also exempted several categories of businesses and services from the notified operating hours. These include pharmacies, medical stores, medical supply stores, laboratories, clinics and hospitals.

Standalone bakeries, standalone tandoors, milk and dairy shops, fuel and CNG stations, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, sports and padel courts, as well as IT companies and call centres, will also remain exempt from the restrictions.

The Cabinet Division said the revised timings were approved by the prime minister in light of seasonal conditions and form part of the government's ongoing fuel conservation and additional austerity measures.

The notification further advised provincial and regional governments to implement the revised operating hours accordingly across their respective jurisdictions.

The notification comes days after provincial authorities resumed enforcement of business-hour restrictions following the end of temporary Eidul Azha-related relaxations.

On Monday, the Punjab government announced that it would reimpose the prescribed operating hours for business centres across the province from June 2, ending concessions that had been granted to traders ahead of Eid al-Azha under the energy conservation campaign.

Under Punjab's earlier schedule, markets were required to close by 8:00 pm, while restaurants, wedding halls and food outlets were allowed to operate until 10:00 pm. Authorities were directed to ensure compliance with the restrictions, although gyms, indoor sports facilities, the IT industry and call centres remained exempt.