The Punjab government has introduced new timing rules for markets and restaurants, affecting businesses and consumers alike. The updated schedule has been put in place to help ease the smog crisis and improve air quality.
Under the new guidelines, markets in Lahore will now stay open until 10 pm from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, they will operate from 2 pm to 10 pm. Restaurants and cafés will close by 11 pm on weekdays, and until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Home delivery services are allowed to continue until 2 am. Essential services such as hospitals, petrol pumps, tandoors and milk shops are exempt from these restrictions.
The move is part of a broader effort to manage rising pollution levels in the province. Earlier this year, outdoor dining, shopping mall timings, and other activities were also restricted as the air quality index reached hazardous levels. The government’s aim appears to be to reduce late‑night traffic and industrial emissions that contribute to smog and respiratory issues.
It’s expected that businesses will need to adjust operations accordingly: markets may need to wrap up earlier, cafés might shift deliveries later, and consumers may need to plan their visits and orders with the new schedule in mind. Alongside this change, schools have also had their schedules reviewed due to air‑quality concerns.
For customers, it means checking opening hours before heading out, and for business owners, ensuring compliance with the new timings will be crucial to avoid penalties. With smog levels continuing to challenge daily life, this latest regulation adds another layer to how commerce and service industries are adapting.
