Forex market timings in India and Pakistan
Forex trades 24 hours on weekdays, but activity is concentrated in four sessions. Because the UK and US change clocks in March and November, the times in India and Pakistan shift by one hour twice a year.
By the TradeFather education team · Updated 27 Oct 2026 · Educational content, not financial advice
- London opens around 12:30–13:30 IST (12:00–13:00 PKT).
- The London–New York overlap — usually the busiest window — falls in the evening for both countries.
- Indian exchange currency derivatives trade 9:00–17:00 IST on weekdays.
Session times in winter (UK/US standard time)
| Session | GMT | India (IST) | Pakistan (PKT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 22:00 – 07:00 | 03:30 – 12:30 | 03:00 – 12:00 |
| Tokyo | 00:00 – 09:00 | 05:30 – 14:30 | 05:00 – 14:00 |
| London | 08:00 – 17:00 | 13:30 – 22:30 | 13:00 – 22:00 |
| New York | 13:00 – 22:00 | 18:30 – 03:30 | 18:00 – 03:00 |
Session times in summer (UK/US daylight time)
Times are approximate session windows used by traders, not official exchange hours. Australia's daylight time runs on the opposite season, so Sydney times can shift independently. India and Pakistan do not observe daylight saving.
| Session | GMT | India (IST) | Pakistan (PKT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 21:00 – 06:00 | 02:30 – 11:30 | 02:00 – 11:00 |
| Tokyo | 00:00 – 09:00 | 05:30 – 14:30 | 05:00 – 14:00 |
| London | 07:00 – 16:00 | 12:30 – 21:30 | 12:00 – 21:00 |
| New York | 12:00 – 21:00 | 17:30 – 02:30 | 17:00 – 02:00 |
Best time to trade forex from India and Pakistan
Roughly 17:30–21:30 IST / 17:00–21:00 PKT in summer (one hour later in winter). Highest liquidity for EUR/USD and GBP/USD.
The first 1–2 hours after London opens often set the day's direction for European pairs.
Quieter for EUR pairs but active for JPY and AUD pairs during the Indian/Pakistani morning.
The minutes around major news releases and the late-night rollover, when spreads widen.
When does the forex market open and close each week?
The week opens with Sydney on Monday morning Asia time — about 02:30–03:30 IST or 02:00–03:00 PKT depending on the season. It closes at the New York close, early Saturday morning in India and Pakistan.
For Indian residents, NSE and BSE currency derivatives trade Monday–Friday 9:00 to 17:00 IST, closed on exchange holidays.
Frequently asked questions
+What time does forex open in Pakistan?
The week opens around 02:00–03:00 PKT on Monday. London — the most important session — opens around 12:00 PKT in summer and 13:00 PKT in winter.
+What is the forex market time in India?
Global forex runs 24 hours on weekdays. Indian exchange-traded currency derivatives run 9:00–17:00 IST.
+Is forex open on Saturday and Sunday?
No. The global market closes Friday at the New York close and reopens with Sydney on Monday morning Asia time.