Forex Market Hours in Pakistan
The four major forex sessions in Pakistan time (PKT, UTC+5) with the best trading window highlighted — auto DST aware via the live clock on the home page.
When does the forex market open in Pakistan?
The forex market opens on Sunday around 03:00 PKT (Monday in Asia) with the Sydney session and runs continuously until Saturday 03:00 PKT. In Pakistan time the four major sessions are: Sydney 03:00–12:00, Tokyo 05:00–14:00, London 13:00–22:00, and New York 18:00–03:00. The best window for Pakistani traders is 18:00–22:00 PKT — the London – New York overlap with the highest liquidity and tightest spreads.
- UTC+5PKT timezone
- 18–22Best window PKT
- No DSTPakistan year-round
- SBPCentral bank
Forex Sessions in Pakistan Time (PKT)
Standard times. The London and New York sessions shift 1 hour earlier when the UK/EU and US enter daylight saving time.
| Session | UTC | PKT (Pakistan) | Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺 Sydney | 22:00 – 07:00 | 03:00 – 12:00 | Low |
| 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 00:00 – 09:00 | 05:00 – 14:00 | Medium |
| 🇬🇧 London | 08:00 – 17:00 | 13:00 – 22:00 | High |
| 🇺🇸 New York | 13:00 – 22:00 | 18:00 – 03:00 | Highest |
Best window for Pakistani traders
- Highest liquidity — tightest spreads (EUR/USD ~0.1–0.3 pip).
- US economic news — NFP, CPI, FOMC announcements happen in this window.
- Strong trends — institutional flow from both Europe and the US.
- Best pairs — EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CHF, USD/JPY.
How DST Affects Forex Hours in Pakistan
Pakistan does not observe daylight saving time — PKT stays at UTC+5 year-round. But when the UK, EU, and US switch to summer time, their forex sessions shift 1 hour earlier in Pakistan time for several months.
Standard time (winter)
London 13:00–22:00 PKT · New York 18:00–03:00 PKT · Best window 18:00–22:00 PKT.
UK/EU summer (BST/CEST)
London shifts to 12:00–21:00 PKT. Late March — late October.
US summer (EDT)
New York shifts to 17:00–02:00 PKT. Mid-March — early November.
Forex Trading in Pakistan — Regulatory Context
Margin-based forex trading by individuals is restricted under State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) foreign exchange regulations. Domestic banks offer interbank FX services, but retail margin trading is not licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
As a result, most Pakistani retail traders use offshore brokers regulated by tier-1 authorities like the FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), or ASIC (Australia). Always verify the broker's regulation, segregated client funds, and deposit/withdrawal options for Pakistani residents before trading.
Holidays & Liquidity in Pakistan
The forex market remains open during Pakistani national holidays since it's a global decentralized market. However, liquidity drops noticeably during major Western holidays: Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and US Independence Day. Eid holidays don't directly affect global forex but can affect local broker support and PKR conversion availability.
For the full holiday calendar see our Forex Holiday Hours 2026 guide.
Trade the Best Hours With a Trusted Broker
The prime window is 18:00–22:00 PKT — London–New York overlap. Pick a regulated broker that supports Pakistani residents, with low spreads, fast execution, and reliable deposit/withdrawal channels.
- Tier-1 regulation (FCA / CySEC / ASIC)
- Tight spreads during London–NY overlap
- International deposit / withdrawal support
Frequently Asked Questions
What are forex market hours in Pakistan?
In Pakistan time (PKT, UTC+5): Sydney 03:00–12:00, Tokyo 05:00–14:00, London 13:00–22:00, and New York 18:00–03:00. The market is open 24/5.
What is the best time to trade forex in Pakistan?
18:00–22:00 PKT — the London–New York overlap. This window produces the tightest spreads on EUR/USD and GBP/USD and over 50% of daily forex volume. US economic releases (NFP, CPI, FOMC) typically fall in this window.
Does daylight saving time affect forex hours in Pakistan?
No, Pakistan does not observe DST. PKT remains UTC+5 year-round. But during UK/EU/US summer time, London shifts to 12:00–21:00 PKT and New York to 17:00–02:00 PKT for several months.
Is forex trading legal in Pakistan?
Margin-based forex trading by individuals is restricted under State Bank of Pakistan regulations. Domestic banks offer interbank FX services, but retail margin trading is not licensed by SECP. Most Pakistani traders use offshore brokers regulated by the FCA, CySEC, or ASIC. Consult a local advisor before trading.
What time does the London session open in Pakistan?
The London session opens at 13:00 PKT (08:00 UTC) and closes at 22:00 PKT. During UK summer time, it shifts to 12:00–21:00 PKT.
Forex Market Hours by Country
See live session times for other regions: Turkey (TRT) · UAE (GST) · India (IST) · all sessions worldwide.