The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has called on the government to reconsider its decision to enforce early market closures, saying shortened trading hours are putting businesses under financial pressure and making shopping harder for consumers. The call follows a new IPSOS study covering shoppers and shopkeepers across the country.
What happened?
FPCCI Regional Chairman and Vice President Zaki Aijaz made the call at a media briefing at the FPCCI Regional Office in Lahore on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Business leaders from trade bodies including the Chain Stores Association, the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association, and the Oil Marketing Association were also present.
The FPCCI asked the government to revisit the early closure decision and develop a sustainable policy framework in consultation with the business community and other stakeholders.
Key details
- The IPSOS study covered all four provinces and Islamabad, with interviews of 1,046 consumers and 300 shopkeepers from 53 shopping malls and commercial markets, plus 25 in-depth interviews with trade associations, manufacturers, retail brands, and government officials. It also compared market operating-hour policies in 15 countries.
- 73 percent of shopkeepers have started opening their businesses earlier, 34 percent have introduced or expanded online sales, and 12 percent have reduced their workforce to cope with the restricted hours.
- 53 percent of consumers now find it difficult to allocate time for shopping, while 37 percent reported a deterioration in their overall shopping experience. Only 23 percent said their experience had improved.
- Business leaders said the decision was placing businesses under severe financial pressure, disrupting commercial activities, and threatening the livelihoods of millions of people associated with retail and allied sectors.
- They pointed out that Pakistan has electricity generation capacity of about 48,000 megawatts, while current consumption stands at around 14,000 megawatts, with more consumers shifting to solar energy and battery storage.
- They urged the government to charge electricity consumed during peak hours, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, at the same tariff as normal units.
What it means for people in Pakistan
Early market closures affect evening shoppers and the millions of people who work in retail and allied trades. The FPCCI’s message is that the policy is squeezing shopkeepers’ revenues and jobs while making it harder for consumers to shop, and it wants the decision reviewed with the business community at the table. Any change would directly affect shopping hours, retail employment, and evening electricity costs for households and businesses.
Source: https://en.tezkhabar.tv/fpcci-urges-govt-to-reconsider-early-market-closure-policy/
