Govt lifts early closing rules, lets shops stay open longer until May 31

The Federal Cabinet on Monday temporarily suspended previously imposed closing-time restrictions under austerity measures on businesses nationwide, exempting a wide range of commercial establishments until May 31, according to an official notification.

In the notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the immediate exemption from the earlier order dated April 6, which had set out regulated closing times for various businesses.

Under the latest directive, all shops, departmental stores, bazaars, markets, and shopping malls would be allowed to operate on all days of the week without restriction on closing hours. The exemption also applied to bakeries, tandoors, restaurants, and grocery stores, which would similarly be permitted to remain open throughout the week.

The order, signed by a joint secretary in the Cabinet Division, said the decision took effect immediately and would remain in force until May 31.

The federal government had previously announced austerity measures applying across Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the austerity regulations, general stores, departmental stores, and all types of malls were to close by 8pm, and bakeries, restaurants, tandoors, and food outlets will be allowed to remain open until 10pm.