Revised office timings during Ramadan are significantly worsening traffic congestion in Karachi. The simultaneous closing of government, private, and commercial institutions is placing immense pressure on the city’s roads, leading to severe traffic jams on major routes connected to business and administrative hubs.

The Sindh government’s decision to set office hours from 10 am to 4 pm for the holy month is a key factor. This means government offices, private companies, financial institutions, and commercial establishments all shut down at the same time. A lack of coordinated planning has resulted in a surge of vehicles hitting the roads simultaneously, causing widespread congestion on main thoroughfares.

Adding to the chaos, ongoing construction projects and poorly maintained roads in various parts of the city are further hindering traffic flow and exacerbating the difficulties faced by commuters.

In contrast, previous years saw staggered Ramadan office timings, with government offices closing earlier (8 am to 2 pm) and private offices operating from 9 am to 3 pm or 4 pm. This scheduling helped to distribute traffic more evenly during peak hours and alleviate congestion.