The government's decision to close markets at 9 p.m. appears to have been made without sufficient consideration of Pakistan's climatic conditions. During summer, temperatures in many parts of the country often reach 40–50°C, making daytime shopping extremely uncomfortable. Consequently, many families prefer to buy essential items during the cooler evening hours.
Impact on Working Families
The early closure has created difficulties, particularly for working people whose office hours usually end around 5 p.m. Many families rely on the evening to complete their shopping and other daily errands. Five officials of Sindh Food Dept were dismissed from service over misappropriation, highlighting broader governance issues.
Questionable Energy Savings
Moreover, the policy's effectiveness in saving electricity remains questionable. Markets that previously opened at 11 a.m. are now opening as early as 9 a.m., offsetting much of the anticipated energy savings from closing earlier. Policymakers should consider Pakistan's climate and social realities before adopting models commonly used in Western countries, where weather conditions and daily routines differ significantly.
Public convenience and local circumstances must remain central to policymaking.
