A suggestion is under consideration to close the markets early in Punjab to control the economic pressure started after exorbitant electricity bills, sources said on Saturday.
Sources within the Planning Commission stated that a decision had been made to seek suggestions from all four provinces regarding the proposal to close shops earlier.
Under the plan, shutting shops at 7pm could reduce electricity bills by up to 25% as power tariffs increase manifold from 6pm to 11pm.
Such a proposal always faced opposition from traders, who neither want to be part of the tax net nor want to close their shops early, they added.
The aim of such a proposal was to promote part-time business activities in markets in the evenings, sources said and added that all countries, including the United States, Britain, China, Europe, Thailand, and Malaysia, close shops at 7pm and Pakistan would have to change its old routine for progress.
This is not a new suggestion as the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government also suggested this in December 2022.
The-then government had claimed that the early closure of markets, hotels, and restaurants could save Pakistan Rs62 billion.
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