Lahore extends market hours until June 1

Shops allowed to remain open till 10pm

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Lahore extends market hours until June 1

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LAHORE:

The Punjab government has announced a temporary relaxation in market operating hours across Lahore, allowing businesses to remain open until 10pm until June 1. The move has been taken to boost commercial activity and accommodate long-standing demands from the trader community, especially ahead of Eidul Azha.

The decision was formally announced by Lahore Deputy Commissioner Capt. (retd.) Muhammad Ali Ejaz, as the provincial capital enters one of its busiest retail periods. With Eidul Azha approaching, markets across the city are expected to witness a sharp increase in consumer activity, particularly during evening hours when most families prefer to shop.

Under the new arrangement, all major commercial areas in Lahore will be allowed extended operating hours. District administration officials said the objective is to provide relief to traders facing economic pressure while also facilitating shoppers during peak demand days. Relevant departments, including assistant commissioners and field officers, have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the revised timings.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, the deputy commissioner said the step was aimed at strengthening business activity and responding to the concerns of the trading community. "The primary objective of this decision is to fulfil the longstanding demands of the trader community and further strengthen commercial activity in the city," the statement said.

The relaxation comes after repeated demands from trader organisations, including the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and various market associations, which have argued that early closure timings were negatively affecting sales. Traders maintained that a large portion of business in urban centres like Lahore takes place after sunset, especially during the summer and festive seasons.

Business representatives had also pointed out that retailers were already under pressure due to rising inflation, increased utility costs and reduced consumer purchasing power. According to them, earlier restrictions on shop timings had further slowed down commercial recovery in key markets.

Market associations welcomed the decision, terming it a timely and much-needed relief for the business community. They said extended hours would help improve customer flow and provide traders with a better opportunity to recover seasonal losses ahead of Eid.

Officials said the decision also aims to distribute customer traffic more evenly throughout the evening, reducing congestion in busy commercial centres. With longer operating hours, authorities expect improved crowd management in high-footfall areas such as Liberty Market, Anarkali, Ichhra, Hall Road, Township, Karim Block and commercial corridors along Main Boulevard.

The district administration has instructed all relevant staff to remain active in the field during extended hours to ensure smooth implementation. Coordination with market committees and local trader bodies has also been strengthened to avoid any disruption in enforcement.

The decision marks a temporary reversal of earlier energy conservation measures that had restricted market timings in several cities, including Lahore. Those measures were introduced in response to Pakistan's broader energy and economic challenges, with the aim of reducing electricity and fuel consumption.

However, trader bodies had consistently opposed the restrictions, arguing that reduced business hours were harming retail activity, employment levels and overall economic growth in urban centres. The latest relaxation is being seen as a compromise between economic needs and administrative policy.

Officials said the government remains committed to balancing economic activity with regulatory requirements. They added that further measures to improve the overall business environment are also under consideration in consultation with stakeholders.

For now, shopkeepers across Lahore are expecting a noticeable increase in sales over the coming weeks as Eid shopping gathers pace. Retailers believe the extended hours will encourage more family shopping in the evenings, particularly in high-traffic commercial zones.

As Lahore moves deeper into the Eid season, the temporary policy shift is expected to provide a short-term boost to the retail sector while also testing the effectiveness of extended operating hours in managing urban commercial demand.