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Pakistan's federal and provincial governments have moved to ease restrictions on business operating hours, granting exemptions from previously announced early closure timings. The federal government allowed a temporary exemption for shops, markets and eateries from the 8pm closing time, while Sindh announced a broader exemption for various commercial establishments.

According to a Cabinet Division notification dated May 18, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the exemption "with immediate effect and till May 31" from closure timings specified in an April 6 notification. This was reported by state broadcaster PTV News, citing the notification. The latest order exempts all shops, departmental stores, markets, shopping malls, bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores from early closure timings for all days of the week.

In Sindh, Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon announced on Saturday that the provincial government had exempted shops, markets, malls, hotels, restaurants, wedding halls and marquees from fixed closing timings. He shared the notification on social media platform X, stating that all these establishments were exempted from the 9pm closing time that had been enforced the previous month.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Dawn detail actions taken at both federal and provincial levels. One report focuses on Sindh's decision, while another outlines the federal government's notification.

The Sindh government's exemption, as announced by Sharjeel Memon, applies to a wide range of commercial entities. A notification shared by Memon confirmed that all shops, markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, food outlets, marriage halls, and marquees were exempted from the 9pm closing time. "This decision reflects our commitment to economic growth, public convenience, and support for the business community, which remains the backbone of our economy," Memon said.

The federal government's notification follows a pattern of easing restrictions. The April 6 notification had set an 8pm closing time for markets across the country, barring Sindh, as part of energy conservation measures. That move was prompted by a global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran. The latest exemption, effective until May 31, covers a broader range of businesses, including eateries and grocery stores.

Key Claims

  • The federal government, through a Cabinet Division notification dated May 18, exempted shops, markets and eateries from the 8pm early closure timing until May 31.
  • The exemption applies to all shops, departmental stores, markets, shopping malls, bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores for all days of the week.
  • The Sindh government exempted shops, markets, malls, hotels, restaurants, wedding halls and marquees from fixed closing timings to "facilitate businesses and citizens".
  • The previous 9pm closing time in Sindh was enforced last month as part of austerity measures amid the Middle East conflict.
  • On April 6, the federal government had announced an 8pm closing time for markets across Pakistan, barring Sindh, due to energy conservation measures during the global fuel crisis.
  • Tandoors (as standalone shops), milk and dairy shops, bakeries, medical stores, pharmacies, medical laboratories, clinics, hospitals and fuel stations were earlier exempted from the closure order.
  • Hotels, restaurants and food outlets were permitted to operate between 7pm and 11:30pm for dinner timings, and marriage/wedding halls and banquets were allowed between 8pm and midnight.
  • The Punjab government granted partial relief and lifted the restriction on market timings until June 1.
  • The Punjab decision came in response to traders' protests and appeals by the shopping malls association and the general public to revise the 8pm business closure timings.
  • Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments lifted closure timing restrictions last week, with Punjab being the first to do so.