The federal government has proposed that markets across the country should be closed at sunset to decrease usage of electricity.

The proposal has been sent by the federal government to governments in all provinces with plans to implement it from October 1 to February 15.

The provincial governments have been asked to consult trader organisations and commerce chambers to decide final timings.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement government had also come up with a similar proposal but had failed to enforce it.

In response, the All-Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran said that the timings should not be fixed without complete consultation with traders.

A statement from the Anjuman added that the timings should be fixed for summer and winter seasons, once and for all.

The traders have also demanded that the electricity should be supplied at half prices from 8 in the morning to noon. They also demanded that no loadshedding should occur in these hours. The statement added the electricity should be priced normally from 12pm to 6pm.

The traders also said that closing markets atr the same time in large cities causes traffic congestion so appropriate traffic plans should be formulated.