Sindh markets to close at 9pm to save electricity

Marriage halls must shut down by 10:30pm and eateries by 11pm; new rule set to go into effect at 5pm today

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People shop in a market in Karachi, on May 11, 2020. — AFP
People shop in a market in Karachi, on May 11, 2020. — AFP

  • Eateries across the province to be closed by 11pm.
  • Marriage halls must shut down by 10:30pm.
  • New business hours set to go into effect at 5pm today.


KARACHI: Markets across Sindh will shut down at 9pm in order to save electricity, a notification from the province's home department said Friday, as the country witnesses constant power outages.

The measure, which will remain in effect till July 16, is in response to the prevalent outages, and load shedding of the electricity and seeks to reduce the shortfall between the supply and demand of electricity, according to the notification. 

Read more: Power supply to commercial feeders to be cut in evening hours

It was decided that the morning hours must be utilised for business activities, said the notification. The new rule is set to go into effect at 5pm today.

All markets and shopping malls shall close by 9pm, the notification said, adding that this does not extend to medical stores, pharmacies, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations, bakeries and milk shops.

Furthermore, marriage halls must shut down by 10:30pm and eateries by 11pm.

Read more: 'Country's economy will deteriorate if power sector not streamlined'