Punjab government eases market hours ahead of Eidul Azha amid trader pressure

Markets allowed to stay open till 10pm until June 1 as Punjab relaxes timings to boost trade activity

The Punjab government on Friday relaxed operating hour restrictions for markets until June 1, allowing businesses to remain open until 10pm in a move aimed at boosting commercial activity and addressing longstanding demands from the trader community.

The decision, announced by Lahore Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Muhammad Ali Ejaz, comes as the provincial capital enters one of its busiest retail periods ahead of Eidul Azha, when shopping activity traditionally surges across major commercial centres.

Under the revised arrangement, markets throughout the city will be permitted to operate for extended hours, providing retailers additional business time and shoppers greater flexibility during evening hours.

A notification for the same was issued by the Punjab chief secretary.

وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کا کاروباری برادری کیلئے بڑا ریلیف!

دکانوں، مارکیٹس، شاپنگ مالز، ہوٹلز، ریسٹورنٹس اور فوڈ آؤٹ لیٹس کو یکم جون 2026 تک مقررہ اوقاتِ بندش سے استثنیٰ دے دیا گیا@MaryamNSharif pic.twitter.com/mK62aCXkVB

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) May 15, 2026

Officials said relevant departments and district administration teams had been directed to ensure immediate implementation of the decision.

In a statement, the deputy commissioner said the temporary relaxation was intended to support traders and accelerate economic activity in the city.

“The primary objective of this decision is to fulfil the longstanding demands of the trader community and further strengthen commercial activity,” the statement said.

The move also reflects mounting pressure from business groups that have repeatedly criticised restrictions on market timings, arguing that shortened business hours were hurting retailers already struggling with inflation, declining consumer purchasing power, and rising operational costs.

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Trader organisations in Lahore welcomed the announcement, describing it as a timely relief measure during a critical business season.

Market representatives have long maintained that early closures particularly damage sales in large urban centres like Lahore, where a significant portion of shopping activity takes place after sunset, especially during the summer months.

The extension in business hours is also expected to ease crowd pressure in busy shopping districts by spreading customer traffic over a longer period.

District officials said assistant commissioners and field officers had been instructed to remain active to ensure smooth implementation and coordination with market associations.

The decision marks a temporary shift from the government’s earlier energy conservation policy, under which commercial activities in several cities, including Lahore, had been restricted to earlier closing hours in an attempt to reduce electricity and fuel consumption.

That policy, introduced amid Pakistan’s broader economic and energy challenges, faced resistance from traders who argued that reduced operating hours negatively affected sales, employment, and routine commercial activity.

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The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and trade associations had repeatedly urged the government to reconsider the restrictions, particularly during festive shopping seasons when consumer footfall typically rises late into the evening.

For now, the latest relaxation is being viewed as an effort by the provincial administration to strike a balance between economic activity and administrative regulation as Lahore’s retail sector prepares for increased Eid-related commerce.

Commercial areas, including Anarkali, Liberty Market, Ichhra, Hall Road, Township, Karim Block, and various shopping centres along Main Boulevard, are expected to witness heavier footfall in the coming days as consumers begin Eid shopping.

Officials said the temporary relief could also contribute to improving market sentiment at a time when businesses continue to navigate high inflation, increased utility costs, and slowing consumer spending.

The government has indicated that additional measures to improve the business environment and address trader concerns are also under consideration.

For now, shopkeepers across Lahore are hoping the extended hours will translate into stronger sales during the weeks leading up to Eidul Azha.