ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday temporarily exempted shops, markets and restaurants from mandatory early closing hours, offering relief to traders who had opposed restrictions introduced as part of nationwide energy conservation measures.
In a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the exemption “with immediate effect and till May 31” for a range of businesses previously subject to early closure requirements under an April 6 directive.
Under the latest order, shops, departmental stores, markets, shopping malls, bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores will no longer be required to close early on any day of the week.
The federal government had announced the restrictions on April 6, requiring markets across the country – except in Sindh province – to close by 8pm as part of efforts to conserve energy during a global fuel crisis linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran. Wedding halls, bakeries, restaurants, tandoors and other eateries had been permitted to remain open until 10pm.
On April 10, the Sindh government imposed similar measures, directing shops, markets and shopping malls in Karachi and other divisional headquarters to close by 9pm.
Certain businesses, including standalone tandoors, milk and dairy shops, bakeries, medical stores and pharmacies, laboratories, clinics, hospitals and fuel stations, were exempted from the Sindh restrictions. Hotels, restaurants and food outlets were allowed to operate for dinner service between 7pm and 11:30pm, while wedding halls and banquet facilities were permitted to remain open from 8pm until midnight.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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