To reduce pressure on energy resources, the operating hours of markets and wedding halls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been revised.
The Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has directed that market timings be restricted across the province. Under the new orders, markets in divisional headquarters will close at 9:00 PM, while markets in other districts will shut down at 8:00 PM. The decision is part of broader efforts to manage energy consumption more efficiently across the province.
Restaurants and cafés will close at 10:00 PM; however, home delivery services will remain allowed. Wedding halls and event venues must also end their events by 10:00 PM. Additionally, the use of unnecessary lighting, including floodlights and decorative lights, has been banned.
It has been made mandatory to switch off billboards and LED screens after shops close, and the use of generators for non-essential commercial activities will be prohibited. These orders will come into effect immediately from April 6, 2026.
It is worth mentioning that the federal government is also considering economic austerity measures, including reducing market hours, to ease pressure on energy resources. If this proposal is implemented, markets may close earlier than the current schedule.
A few days ago, a meeting was held in which the Chief Ministers of all four provinces participated. The meeting discussed reducing market hours, while allowing only wedding halls and restaurants to remain open until 10:00 PM.
Earlier, the Balochistan government issued new working hours for markets, wedding halls and restaurants.
According to the Balochistan Home Department, all markets and shopping centres will close at 8:00 pm, while pharmacies, tandoors and bread shops will be exempt from the ban.
All functions in wedding halls, banquet halls and hotels must conclude by 10:00 pm. The Additional Chief Secretary Home stated that restaurants and hotels will also close at 10:00 pm.
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