ISLAMABAD: The federal government has issued a new notification on business and commercial operating hours as part of energy conservation and austerity measures across the country.
According to the Cabinet Division, the decision was approved by the Prime Minister and takes into account the summer season, rising temperatures, and the need for efficient energy use.
Under the new rules, all shops, markets, shopping malls, general stores, and grocery outlets across Pakistan will close at 9:00 pm.
Wedding halls and event marquees will be required to shut by 10:00 pm.
Restaurants, cafés, and other food outlets will be allowed to remain open until 11:00 pm. However, takeaway and home delivery services will remain exempt from these restrictions.
Essential services have been fully exempted from the new timings. These include medical stores, pharmacies, hospitals, laboratories, bakeries, tandoors, dairy shops, petrol pumps, CNG stations, gyms, sports facilities, IT companies, and call centres.
The government has directed all provincial and regional administrations to ensure strict implementation of the new schedule in order to achieve energy saving and cost-cutting targets.
