A Pakistani traders’ union has issued a warning of nationwide protests if the government moves forward with its plan to close markets early. The government had previously ordered shops and malls to shut by 8 pm and other establishments by 10 pm to conserve energy due to soaring fuel prices. These measures were introduced following the US-Iran conflict that led to a spike in fuel costs.
The government had temporarily eased market restrictions until May 31 for the Eid al-Adha festival. However, traders are now demanding a permanent end to these early closure restrictions, citing negative impacts on their businesses. The president of the Central Association of Traders in Pakistan emphasized that with the conclusion of the Iran-US conflict, there is no justification for continuing the lockdowns.
Traders are urging the prime minister to lift the restrictions and allow businesses to operate beyond the designated hours. They argue that closing shops early severely affects their earnings, especially during the summer season when business activities peak after 7 pm. The traders also highlighted the adverse effects of high fuel and electricity prices on both businesses and consumers, leading to a decline in purchasing power for millions of people.
