Big Relief: Shopping malls, market timings announced for Ramadan 2026

2026-02-18 - 04:53

LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved an extension of business hours for shopping malls and markets during the holy month of Ramadan 2026. The decision allows businesses to operate beyond regular working hours to accommodate the demands of the season. Zeeshan Malik, Advisor to the Chief Minister, shared the notification on his X account, and the official notification has also been issued by the Labour and Human Resources Department. The notification stated that businesses across the province will be exempt from the usual restrictions on operating hours during Ramadan. The notification specifically benefits shops, shopping malls, supermarkets, chain stores, and restaurants, providing them with special concessions. This decision has been granted under the Punjab Shops and Establishments Ordinance of 1969. The relevant authorities and local administrations across the province have been instructed to implement the notification. The Director General of Labour Welfare and Deputy Commissioners have been tasked with ensuring compliance with the new orders. What the Notification States “In supersession of all previous notifications and in exercise of the powers conferred under section 4 of the Punjab Shops & Establishments Ordinance, 1969 (VIII of 1969). Governor of the Punjab. subject to observance of section 8 and 9 of the Ordinance ibid. is pleased to exempt all the establishments across the province of Punjab including all the shops. shopping malls. super markets. chain stores and restaurants from the provision of sub-section (1) of section 7 of the Ordinance ibid, during the holy month of Ramzan,” read the notification. Ramdan Moon 2026 Update The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will hold a crucial meeting today (February 18) in Peshawar to observe the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan 1447 AH. The meeting will be chaired by the committee’s chairman, Maulana Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, while other zonal and district-level committees will hold their respective sessions at local venues. The final announcement regarding the sighting of the Ramadan moon will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, taking into account all the moon sighting reports received from across the country.