Pakistan’s Sindh Govt asks markets, malls to close early to save energy

Pakistan’s Sindh province Government on Friday ordered all markets, shopping malls, shops, restaurants and wedding halls in Karachi and other major cities to close early every day, as part of austerity measures amid the West Asia conflict.

According to a Government notification, all markets, shopping malls, and shops will now close by 9.00 pm. every day, a rarity in Karachi because of its robust nightlife culture.

 It said restaurants will serve dinner between 8 pm and 11.30 p.m., while wedding halls will operate from 9 pm to midnight.

The markets, shopping malls, restaurants, and wedding halls usually operate well beyond midnight in Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city. The decision comes after the federal Government earlier this week said markets and shopping malls across Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will close by 8 pm. The decision was taken to cope with the fuel crisis in the wake of the West Asia war, the Sindh Home Department said, adding that the order would be implemented immediately.

“The decision is aimed at supporting the Government’s focus on energy-saving strategies, petroleum products, and austerity initiatives,” the notification said.