On Tuesday, the federal government officially extended the operating hours for shops, markets, restaurants, and other commercial outlets. The Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Austerity Measures made this decision. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting to finalize the new schedule.
Consequently, the government has published a revised schedule for various business sectors. Authorities have relaxed the deadlines to facilitate commerce while maintaining overall austerity. However, the government completely exempts essential services from these restrictions. Therefore, pharmacies, hospitals, fuel stations, and IT and telecom-related services will remain operational without any time limits.
Here is the complete breakdown of the new closing times:
| Business Category | Official Closing Time | Additional Details |
| Shops, markets, malls, and general retail | 9:00 PM | Essential services (pharmacies, hospitals, fuel stations and IT & Telecom related services, etc.) are exempt |
| Restaurants, cafes, and eateries | 11:00 PM | Takeaway and delivery services are exempt |
| Marriage halls and event venues | 10:00 PM | No change in previous timings |
Why Did the Govt Change the Rules Under Austerity Measures?
Primarily, officials cited changing weather conditions for the extension. The committee considered the longer daylight hours. Additionally, they factored in the rising summer temperatures currently impacting the region. Therefore, these environmental shifts prompted the government to give businesses a slight breather.
Previously, the government announced unprecedented austerity measures on March 9. A severe global energy crisis forced authorities to act quickly. Specifically, the ongoing Middle East war resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, this geopolitical disruption triggered massive energy shortages, compelling the government to restrict commercial operating hours to conserve power.
