Markets, restaurants and other commercial establishments across Pakistan will continue operating under fixed closing timings ranging from 9 PM to 11 PM, the Cabinet Division confirmed in a notification issued Thursday that reaffirms rules first put in place in June.
The notification states that shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, and departmental, grocery, general and kiryana stores must close by 9 PM daily. Marriage halls, marquees and other commercial venues hosting festive events are required to shut by 10 PM, while restaurants, cafes, eateries, food outlets and standalone fruit and vegetable shops have been given a closing time of 11 PM.
Takeaway and home delivery services offered by these outlets remain exempt from the restriction and can continue operating beyond the designated hours.
A separate category of businesses has been granted a full exemption from the closing timings altogether. These include pharmacies, medical and medical supplies stores, medical laboratories, clinics and hospitals, given their essential role in public health.
Standalone bakeries, tandoors, and milk and dairy shops have also been excluded from the restrictions, along with fuel and CNG stations and electric vehicle charging stations, which are permitted to remain open around the clock. Gyms, sports facilities, padel courts, IT companies and call centres complete the list of exempted establishments.
The closing timings were originally notified by the Cabinet Division on June 19, 2026, and continue to remain in force as part of a wider package of austerity measures approved on that date.
The notification, issued by Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal today, reiterates that the schedule applies uniformly across all days of the week. Provincial and regional governments have also been invited to consider adopting similar timing restrictions within their own jurisdictions.
