Business establishments all over the Punjab to benefit from more flexible working conditions in Ramzan 2026 after the special concessions to keep markets and commercial centres open for extended hours were approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Under the new arrangement shopping malls, retail outlets, supermarkets, chain stores and restaurants will be allowed to keep open after normal business hours during the holy month.
The move is being made to ease out traders as well as consumers because traditionally, commercial activity of any sort picks up during the evenings of Ramzan.
The decision was formally communicated through the notification of the Punjab Labour and the Human Resources Department. Chief Minister’s Advisor, Zeeshan Malik also gave the details of the approval on social media.
According to the notification the relaxation granted under the Punjab Shops and Establishments Ordinance, 1969 for temporary relaxation in business hours during the month of Ramzan with the provisions regarding welfare and safety of workers.
District administrations and relevant authorities in the Province of Punjab have been ordered to have the orders smoothly implemented. Deputy Commissioners and labour officials will be responsible for compliance on a local level.
It is worth noting that the central meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee for sighting the Ramadan crescent will be held today in Peshawar while zonal committee meetings will take place in other parts of the country.
The zonal committees will forward moon sighting testimonies along with evidence to the central committee after which the committee’s chairman will make the official announcement regarding the sighting of the moon following consultations.
According to astronomical parameters there is a strong possibility of sighting the Ramzan moon on the evening of February 18. The new moon will be born today at 5:01 pm while on the evening of 29th Sha’ban the age of the moon will be more than 25 hours and 48 minutes.
