On the demand of traders' community, the Punjab government on Thursday decided to extend the business hours of markets and shopping malls from 5 pm to 10 pm till Eidul Fitr.

After the seeking an approval from Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Provincial Minister for Industries and Trade Mian Aslam Iqbal announced that all markets in the province will remain open till 10 pm from today (Friday). They have also reopened all shrines for visitors, which will remain opened 24 hours, he added.

It may be mentioned here that after relaxing the lockdown, only the small markets and local shops were permitted to open for four days (Monday to Thursday) from 9 am to 5 pm initially. Later, the government decided to allow the opening of all kinds of shopping plazas and malls in the province and they were permitted to do business from 9 am till 5 pm throughout the week.

However, the government directed all the mall authorities to keep the play areas and the food courts inside the establishment non-operational for the time being.