Shops, malls to shutter down once again at 7pm

The government has reinstated the 7:00pm closing deadline for shopping malls, markets, and shops across the country as part of electricity-saving measures.

The move ends the Eid-ul-Azha relaxation that had allowed them to remain open until 10:00pm.

The directive, effective from today, was issued by the Power Division and sent to mayors and administrators of all city corporations, divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners.

Under the order, shopping malls, markets and shops will have to close by 7:00pm, instead of 10:00pm.

Excessive lighting at all shopping centres must also be switched off by 7:00pm, while ongoing and upcoming fairs, trade fairs and cultural programmes across the country will have to end by the same time.

The Power Division said the 7:00pm deadline had earlier been introduced through an April 5 order under the prime minister’s instructions.

The government later allowed shopping malls, markets and shops to remain open until 10:00pm temporarily on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha from May 12.