The Punjab government has issued a new notification revising business operating hours across the province under its ongoing energy conservation campaign, introducing updated closing times for shops, markets and commercial outlets.

According to the notification, grocery and general stores have been given extended working hours and will now close at 10 pm. Wedding halls will also follow the same closing time of 10 pm as part of the revised schedule.

Shopping malls, bazaars and markets across Punjab have been instructed to shut down by 9 pm under the new energy-saving guidelines aimed at reducing electricity consumption and improving efficiency in commercial energy use.

Restaurants, cafés, cinemas and food outlets will be allowed to operate until 11 pm. However, takeaway services and home delivery operations have been exempted from these restrictions to ensure uninterrupted customer service.

The notification also states that fruit and vegetable vendors may continue business until 11 pm. Several essential services have been fully exempted from the new timings, including hospitals, clinics, medical stores and laboratories.

In addition, petrol pumps, CNG stations and electric vehicle charging stations will remain operational without restrictions. Bakeries, tandoors, dairy shops and milk sellers have also been excluded from the revised schedule.

Other exempted sectors include gyms, sports facilities, paddle courts, IT companies and call centers, allowing them to continue operations as usual.

Chief Secretary Punjab has directed that the notification be implemented immediately and strict compliance be ensured across all districts. Authorities have been instructed to monitor enforcement of the new timings to achieve the objectives of the energy-saving initiative.

Officials say the move is part of broader efforts to reduce energy consumption and manage electricity demand more efficiently across the province.