Shopkeepers in Lahore Reject Government’s 8 PM Market Closure Policy
Traders from various commercial areas stated that businesses are already struggling due to inflation and ongoing economic pressure. They argue that enforcing early market closures will further worsen their financial situation.
According to shopkeepers, evening hours are the busiest time of the day, when customer footfall increases significantly and sales peak. Limiting business hours, they say, will directly impact their daily earnings and sustainability.
Many traders described the decision as impractical, urging authorities to consider ground realities before implementing such policies. They emphasized that small businesses rely heavily on late-hour sales to survive in the current economic climate.
One shopkeeper expressed frustration, saying, “We are already facing tough conditions. If we shut down at 8 PM, how will we manage our livelihood?” Another trader added that the policy unfairly targets small businesses and called on the government to reconsider its decision.