The Government of Punjab’s Services and General Administration Department has issued a formal notification exempting information technology companies, call centers engaged with international clients, and sports facilities including gyms from the prescribed closure timings that have been in effect across the province as part of wider austerity and energy conservation measures. The notification, issued on May 4, 2026 under reference number SO (I&C-I) 5-13/2026, confirms the exemption as a continuation of an earlier directive dated April 6, 2026, and has been circulated to all relevant authorities across the province including divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, the Inspector General of Police Punjab, and all administrative secretaries to ensure consistent implementation on the ground.
The exemption comes in the context of sweeping market closure orders that came into effect across Pakistan from April 7, 2026, requiring shops, markets, shopping malls, restaurants, and commercial establishments to shut down earlier than usual as part of government-mandated energy conservation efforts. All shops, markets, and shopping malls were directed to close at 8:00 PM throughout the week including weekends, with the order applicable until further instructions. While pharmacies, hospitals, and essential services were carved out from the start, information technology companies and call centers initially faced confusion at the district level over whether the exemption applied to them, with some businesses reporting that local enforcement authorities were unaware of or slow to implement the carve-out for the technology sector.
The Punjab notification formalizes and reinforces what the federal government had already signalled at the national level. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication confirmed that call centers and business process outsourcing companies can operate without any time limitations, with the exemption designed to protect service continuity for international clients operating across multiple time zones and to prevent disruptions to foreign contracts. IT and information technology enabled services companies, particularly those engaged in outsourcing and customer support operations, have been granted exemption from closure orders and timing restrictions, reflecting the government’s recognition of the technology export sector as a strategic source of foreign exchange earnings that must be insulated from energy-linked disruptions. By issuing a province-level notification through the Chief Secretary Punjab, the Punjab government has ensured that all administrative tiers within the province are formally informed and legally bound to respect the exemption, removing the ambiguity that had previously led to implementation inconsistencies across different districts.
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