KARACHI: Markets in the city should close at nine o'clock, while dining establishments should close between eleven o'clock and one in the morning

The idea was put out by traders at a meeting on managing the energy issue held at the Karachi Commissioner's Office, where discussion centred on limiting the opening and closing hours of marketplaces and wedding venues.

In the discussion, it was suggested that wholesale markets close at 6 p.m., malls and bazaars close at 9 p.m., and wedding venues and restaurants close from 11 p.m. until midnight./

In the meanwhile, the city government planned to close markets from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in an effort to stop the energy problem.

The traders requested relief for the market hours on Saturdays and offered Sundays as a holiday. If markets are delayed in closing after the administration's designated hours, they asked that instances not be registered.

Additionally, they called for improvements to the city's traffic system. According to them, Karachi's simultaneous market and bazaar closures will worsen the city's traffic problems

Saeed Ghani, the minister of labour for Sindh, stated that the majority opinion of the traders will determine the business hours. Additionally, he stated that recommendations, such as the utilisation of solar energy to address the energy situation, would be put into practise.

How would businesses operate if there is no electricity for six to eight of the ten hours allotted for business? Ghani expressed his worries in line with those of the traders

Atiq Mir, the head of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI), meantime, asked that a sensible conclusion be made regarding the situation.

The conference was attended by the commissioner of Karachi, Muhammad Iqbal Memon, provincial politicians, including the labour minister, Saeed Ghani, the trade minister, Ikramullah Dharejo, the excise minister, Mukesh Chawla, and the administrator of Karachi, Dr. Saif-ur-Rehman.

The federal government presented its energy-saving plan this week, which mandated that all stores and eateries close at 8 p.m.

According to Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, the wedding venues will close at 10 p.m.

He stated that the restaurant hours might be increased by around an hour

The minister added, "If 20% of the staff are sent to work from home on a rotating basis, this will save Rs56 billion.