The federal government of Pakistan has announced a full exemption for call centers from the operating hour restrictions imposed amid the ongoing energy crisis, offering substantial relief to the country’s IT and outsourcing industries. This decision was confirmed by the Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shiza Khawaja, who stated that call centers and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms nationwide can now operate without any time constraints.
While energy conservation measures have mandated early closures for markets and commercial centers across Pakistan, call centers have been explicitly excluded from these limitations. The minister emphasized that these centers are permitted to function around the clock to maintain uninterrupted service delivery.
In a related development, the government clarified that the recently declared local holidays in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, announced due to the visits of foreign delegations, will not affect call center operations. This exemption aims to ensure the continuous activity of Pakistan’s IT sector, which is vital to the national economy.
Shiza Khawaja acknowledged that delays in communicating this exemption to all relevant parties caused some initial difficulties in implementation. Nevertheless, she assured that the government is actively addressing these challenges to facilitate smooth industry operations.
To further support call centers, especially concerning security and operational timing issues, the minister has instructed companies to reach out to the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). A dedicated support mechanism has been established, promising resolution of complaints submitted via the PSEB portal within 24 hours.
The government reiterated that the BPO sector is a crucial component of Pakistan’s digital economy, and promoting its growth remains a high priority. Both registered and non-registered PSEB members across Pakistan are eligible to utilize this support system.
