Federal govt exempts markets, eateries from early closure until May 31

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has granted a temporary exemption to shops, markets and eateries from the 8pm early closure timing, according to a Cabinet Division notification reported by PTV News on Monday.

The notification, dated May 18, said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved the exemption with immediate effect and that it would remain in force until May 31.

The decision applies to entities that had been covered under the closure timings laid down in an earlier notification issued on April 6. Under the latest order, a range of commercial establishments will no longer be bound by the 8pm restriction during the exemption period.

Businesses covered by the exemption

According to the notification, the exemption covers all shops, departmental stores, markets, shopping malls, bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores.

The order states that these establishments have been exempted from the early closure timings for all days of the week. This means the relaxation is not limited to specific weekdays or weekends and will remain applicable across the week until the end of May, as stated in the notification.

PTV News reported the development citing the Cabinet Division notification. The notification specifically said the prime minister had approved the exemption from the timings mentioned in the April 6 order.

Immediate implementation

The latest notification makes clear that the exemption has taken effect immediately. It also sets May 31 as the end date for the temporary relief granted to commercial outlets and food businesses included in the order.

The move affects a broad segment of retail and food-related businesses, including neighbourhood grocery stores as well as larger commercial centres such as shopping malls and departmental stores. Food outlets named in the notification include bakeries, tandoors and restaurants.

The Cabinet Division notification, as cited in the report, frames the measure as a temporary exemption from the previously notified early closure timings rather than a permanent withdrawal of the restriction.

No further details were included in the report beyond the contents of the notification and the categories of businesses covered by the exemption. The reported order remains effective immediately and will continue until May 31.