Pakistan decides to close shops, markets by 8:30 pm as power crisis deepens

ISLAMABAD - The federal cabinet has approved a proposal to close shops and markets soon as part of energy conservation efforts.

Local media reports said that the federation and all the provinces decided to close the markets and bazaars at 8:30 pm as the country was facing a deficit of more than 7,440 MW.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Economic Council chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday.

The move comes after traders' syndicates raised objections to the government's proposal to close markets two days a week.

The federal government earlier this week announced a three-and-a-half-hour reduction in power loads from today, assuring the nation that load shedding would be further reduced in the coming months.

Amid tough measures, the new government has resumed two weekend days in government offices and educational institutions.

Immediately after taking office, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in a major administrative decision canceled the two weekly leave of civil servants, but this decision has now been withdrawn as the country with a population of about 221 million is facing a major energy crisis.  ۔