After the implementation of new business hours for commercial centres, the activities of retail chain stores have been severely affected.
Chairman of the Chain Store Association of Pakistan, Asfand Yar Farrukh, said that reducing business hours has caused the government itself a weekly tax loss of Rs25 billion.
He demanded that the operating hours of retail chain stores be extended until 10 PM. He said that in countries such as Turkey, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia, restaurants and retail chain stores remain open until 10 PM. He also said that they are not asking for stores to remain open late into the night, but only until 10 PM. He added that around one million people are employed by retail chain stores.
According to Asfand Yar Farrukh, overall, nearly 10 million people are connected to the retail sector for their livelihoods. He said that shorter operating hours have reduced shopping activity at retail chain stores. In Karachi, stores close at 9 PM, while in most parts of the country they close at 8 PM, which he described as highly damaging for the sector.
Revised timings for shops, malls closure announced in Islamabad
Revised timings announced for business in the federal capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, according to an official notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Irfan Nawaz Memon.
He took to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to inform about the revised timings.
“In light of ongoing austerity measures, the Islamabad Administration issued revised operating hours for various sectors across the city,” he wrote.
The following are the revised timings for business in Islamabad
- Shops, Markets & shopping malls shall close at 08:00 PM (throughout the week)
- Restaurants, Hotels, Grocery & Food Outlet shall close at 10:00 PM (Takeaway & delivery allowed)
- Marriage Halls & Commercial Event Venues shall close at 10:00 PM.
- Sports Facilities & Gyms shall close at 08:00 PM.
However, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations, and dairy shops have been exempted from the early closure and will continue operations as usual.
The administration further asked for full cooperation from citizens and the business community to make sure a smooth implementation.
Also read: Revised timings for shops, malls closure announced in Islamabad
