City sees partial closure of shops at 9pm deadline

Various neighborhood shops, some grocery stores continue to violate guidelines

KARACHI:

The Sindh government partially implemented the restriction of business hours till 9 pm.

In order to overcome the energy crisis, an order was issued by the Sindh government on Friday stating that markets and bazaars would close by 9pm, wedding halls are allowed until 10.30pm while hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and cafes would close by 11pm.

Police were instructed to take legal action against the violators. On the first day (Friday) the ban was enforced in some areas.

Other shops, including food stalls, were seen open in many parts of the city.

The second day (Saturday) also saw a partial implementation of the limited business hours, with shops in the streets and neighbourhoods of different parts of the city remained open.

Even grocery stores also appear to be open after the deadline. Medical stores, hospitals, petrol pumps, bakeries and dairy shops have been exempted from the ban.

The provincial government’s order to limit business hours to overcome the energy crisis will remain in effect for a month.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2022.