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.