Updated 
In Pakistan, forex trading follows two different schedules. PKR pairs are accessible through Pakistan’s regulated futures exchange, PMEX, while global forex pairs move through four major sessions — Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York — from Monday morning to early Saturday PKT.
The most active period often comes during session overlaps, especially the London–New York overlap, which takes place in the evening in Pakistan and is widely watched for higher liquidity and stronger market activity.
Key Points
- Trading hours in Pakistan differ by market: financial futures on regulated exchanges such as PMEX offer near-continuous access, while the global forex market runs across four major sessions until early Saturday PKT.
- The London session and the London–New York overlap are usually the busiest trading windows, with higher liquidity and more active price movement on major currency pairs.
- Because PKT stays fixed throughout the year, Daylight Saving Time shifts London and New York session hours by one hour, changing when peak trading activity occurs.
Forex Market Hours in Pakistan (PKT)
The main difference in forex market hours in Pakistan lies between the regulated exchange trading hours for PKR pairs and the longer trading cycle followed by global currency pairs.
PMEX Financial Futures (PKR Pairs)
PKR-based currency futures — including USD/PKR, EUR/PKR, GBP/PKR, and JPY/PKR — are accessible through the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX), Pakistan’s regulated commodity and financial futures exchange licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). PMEX operates near-continuously during trading days:
- Opening time: Approximately 5:00 AM PKT
- Closing time: Approximately 2:00 AM PKT (next day)
- Trading days: Monday to Friday (closed on Pakistani public holidays)
Global Forex Market (Cross-Currency Pairs)
For internationally regulated platforms offering global pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, or AUD/JPY, the market runs continuously across four sessions.
It opens with Sydney on Monday morning and closes with New York on Friday evening — translating to approximately Saturday 3:00 AM PKT.
Global Forex Session Timings in PKT
Each of the four major forex sessions is linked to a major financial centre. The table below shows their hours in Pakistan Standard Time (PKT), including the effect of daylight saving time where relevant.
London and New York shift by one hour from approximately late March to late October, while PKT remains unchanged throughout the year.
| Session | Standard PKT Hours | DST PKT Hours (Approx. Late March to Late October) | Key Pairs |
| Sydney (Australian) | 3:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 4:00 AM – 1:00 PM | AUD/USD, NZD/USD, AUD/JPY |
| Tokyo (Asian) | 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM | USD/JPY, AUD/JPY, USD/SGD |
| London (European) | 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, EUR/GBP |
| New York (US) | 6:00 PM – 3:00 AM | 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM | USD/CAD, EUR/USD, GBP/USD |
Volume and volatility tend to peak during London hours, as the European session accounts for the largest share of daily global forex turnover.
Session Overlaps and Forex Market Activity in Pakistan
When two major forex trading sessions overlap, market activity often increases. Liquidity often increases, spreads may narrow, and price movement can become more active. The three overlap windows below highlight the periods that are most relevant for traders in Pakistan.
London–New York Overlap
This is the most liquid period in the global forex market. London and New York together account for nearly 58% of total daily forex volume, and their overlap produces the tightest spreads on major pairs such as EUR/USD and GBP/USD [1].
For traders in Pakistan who work standard office hours, this window falls conveniently in the evening.
Tokyo–London Overlap
This one-hour handover between Asian and European liquidity can produce meaningful movement, particularly around economic data releases from the Eurozone or Japan. EUR/JPY and GBP/JPY tend to see increased activity as European institutions begin positioning ahead of the full London open.
Sydney–Tokyo Overlap
The Asian session is the quietest of the four major windows. Liquidity is concentrated in JPY, AUD, and NZD pairs, with narrower price ranges than during European or US hours. This period is generally characterised by lower volatility and more range-bound price movements than the European or US sessions.
| Window | PKT Time (Standard) | Volatility | Commonly Active Pairs |
| London–New York Overlap | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | High | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CHF |
| Tokyo–London Overlap | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Moderate | EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY |
| Sydney–Tokyo Overlap | 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Low to Moderate | USD/JPY, AUD/USD, NZD/USD |
Forex Trading Hours and Pakistani Public Holidays
The PMEX financial futures market closes on Pakistani public holidays as designated by the exchange — including Pakistan Day (23 March), Independence Day (14 August), and Eid al-Fitr, among others. A full schedule is published on PMEX’s official website each year.
The global forex market is unaffected by Pakistani public holidays. However, liquidity can thin on major international holidays — particularly US Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year — as institutional participation from key financial centres falls. Spreads may widen during these periods.
Why Forex Trading Time Matters?
Forex trading time matters because liquidity and market activity change throughout the day. When more major financial centres are open at the same time, more market participants are active. This often leads to tighter spreads, higher trading volume, and stronger price movement.
For traders in Pakistan, this means market conditions may differ considerably between local exchange hours and the global forex market. While PMEX offers near-continuous access for PKR pairs and financial futures, global pairs remain active across multiple sessions and into the night.
In particular, the London–New York overlap often stands out as the busiest period, when major pairs such as EUR/USD and GBP/USD tend to see the strongest market participation.
FAQ
When Is the Forex Market Most Active in Pakistan?
The London–New York overlap is widely considered the most active window for traders in Pakistan seeking high liquidity and tight spreads.
In standard time, this runs from approximately 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM PKT. During DST (late March to late October), it shifts to roughly 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM PKT.
What Time Does the London Session Open and Close in PKT?
The London session opens at 1:00 PM PKT and closes at 10:00 PM PKT during standard time. When the UK observes British Summer Time (BST), these times shift to approximately 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM PKT.
What Time Does the Forex Market Open on Monday in Pakistan?
The global forex market opens with the Sydney session at approximately 3:00 AM PKT on Monday morning. PMEX financial futures are accessible near-continuously on trading days.
Which Forex Pairs Are Most Active During the London–New York Overlap in PKT?
EUR/USD and GBP/USD are among the most actively traded currency pairs during this window and typically experience high trading activity and relatively tight spreads. USD/CHF and USD/CAD also see strong market participation during New York trading hours.
Does Daylight Saving Time Affect Forex Trading Hours in PKT?
Yes. The UK and US observe Daylight Saving Time, shifting their session open and close times by one hour. PKT (UTC+5) does not change.
This means the London and New York sessions open approximately one hour earlier in PKT during summer months — roughly late March to late October for the UK, and mid-March to early November for the US.
Can I Trade Forex at Night in Pakistan?
Yes. The global forex market remains active through the night in PKT. The New York session runs until 3:00 AM PKT in standard time, and the Sydney session opens at 3:00 AM.
The London–New York overlap (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM PKT) is among the most liquid periods of the trading day, meaning traders following global pairs have access to the market during these hours.
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Reference
- “Forex Market Trading Hours: The Most Profitable Sessions – Investopedia” https://www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/08/forex-trading-schedule-trading-times.asp Accessed 10 April 2026
