Punjab government relaxes market opening hours in Lahore ahead of Eidul Azha under pressure from traders

The Punjab government on Friday eased restrictions on market opening hours until June 1, allowing businesses to remain open till 10 p.m., in a bid to boost business activity and meet long-pending demands of the trading community.

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

Under the revised agreement, markets across the city will be allowed to operate for extended hours, giving retailers more business time and shoppers greater flexibility during evening hours.

A notification in this regard has been issued by the Punjab Chief Secretary.

Officials said concerned departments and district administrative teams have been directed to ensure immediate implementation of the decision.

In a statement, the deputy commissioner said the temporary relaxation was aimed at supporting traders and accelerating economic activity in the city.

“The main objective of this decision is to meet the long-standing demands of the trading community and further strengthen trading activity,” the statement said.

The move also reflects growing pressure from business groups that have repeatedly criticized restrictions on market hours, arguing that shortened opening hours hurt retailers already struggling with inflation, declining consumer purchasing power and rising operating costs.

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

Market officials have long argued that early closures particularly hurt sales in large urban centers like Lahore, where a significant portion of trading activities take place after sunset, particularly during the summer months.

Extended opening hours should also alleviate crowd pressure in busy shopping districts by spreading customer traffic over a longer period.

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

The move marks a temporary change from the government’s previous energy conservation policy, under which commercial activities in several cities, including Lahore, were restricted to earlier closing hours in a bid to reduce electricity and fuel consumption.

The policy, introduced against a backdrop of broader economic and energy challenges in Pakistan, was met with resistance from traders who claimed that the reduction in opening hours negatively affected sales, employment and routine business activity.

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The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and trade associations have repeatedly urged the government to reconsider restrictions, especially during festive shopping periods, when consumer footfall typically increases late in the evening.

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

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

Officials said the temporary relief could also help improve market confidence at a time when businesses continue to face high inflation, rising utility costs and slowing consumer spending.

The government said additional measures to improve the business environment and address traders’ concerns were also being considered.

For now, traders in Lahore are hoping that the extended hours will translate into stronger sales in the weeks leading up to Eidul Azha.