LAHORE: The Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP) has urged the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Cabinet to restore a uniform nationwide retail closing time of 10:00 PM, following the Government’s decision to formally wind down the fuel-saving and austerity measures in place since March 2026. CAP said the rationale for restricted market hours was tied to the now-phased-out energy-saving drive, and that retail timings should be eased in parallel to help the sector recover lost business.
CAP Patron-in-Chief Tariq Mehboob said the logic behind lifting austerity measures applied equally to retail. Citing member feedback, CAP noted the 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM slot alone contributes 15 to 30 percent of daily sales for many organised retailers, especially in major cities.
CAP Chairman Asfandyar Farrukh said formal retailers, who generate nearly 90 percent of retail-sector tax revenue despite forming just 10 percent of the trade, had borne a disproportionate burden. Senior Vice Chairman Ahsen Mehmood added that prolonging restrictions no longer served any policy purpose. CAP reiterated its call for a standardised 10:00 PM closing framework nationwide.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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