Pakistan adjusts shop closure hours after Punjab market shutdown sparks backlash

Punjab's provincial government ordered all markets, shopping malls and retail outlets to close by 8 p.m. each night to curb electricity use. Traders and business groups say the rule has cut sales, especially during summer evenings, and pushed consumers toward informal night markets, hurting tax revenues. Energy experts note the nighttime power savings are modest relative to overall provincial consumption.

In response to the criticism, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a relaxation of shop and market hours in Islamabad, extending operating times until May 31. The move aims to ease commercial pressure while the broader energy‑conservation strategy remains in place.