Yesterday, on May 5, 2026, the Islamabad district administration issued a revised notification regarding ongoing austerity measures. Importantly, the government officially exempted the IT sector, call centers, and sports facilities from the strict 8 PM closure restrictions. Furthermore, the Punjab government issued a similar provincial timing restrictions exemption on May 4. Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Khawaja, subsequently confirmed the Punjab notification via social media.
Under the previous April 25 directive, most Islamabad businesses faced a strict 8 PM shutdown. However, the revised timing restrictions order finally brings major relief. Now, call centers and IT companies engaged with international clients can operate late into the night. Additionally, sports facilities, including gyms and padel courts, completely bypass the early closure restriction. The Punjab government also issued identical exemptions for its own gyms, IT companies, and international call centers.
Despite these tech and fitness exemptions, the district administration strictly maintains the 8 PM deadline for general commerce. Therefore, all shops, markets, and shopping malls must close by 8 PM throughout the entire week, including weekends. Meanwhile, commercial spaces hosting festive events face a hard 10 PM limit. This restriction specifically targets marriage halls and marquees. Furthermore, the authorities apply this exact 10 PM cutoff to private premises hosting similar festive events.
The new notification provides a slight extension for food-related businesses. Consequently, restaurants, food outlets, tandoors, and bakeries can actively serve customers until 10 PM. This 10 PM limit also applies to grocery stores, kiryana stores, meat shops, and fruit or vegetable vendors. However, the government places absolutely zero time restrictions on takeaway and home delivery services. Finally, essential services remain entirely exempt from all prescribed schedules. These crucial sectors include hospitals, pharmacies, medical laboratories, petrol pumps, CNG stations, and milk shops.
