Pakistan orders malls to close early amid economic crisis
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani authorities on Wednesday ordered shopping malls and markets to close by 8:30 p.m. as part of a new energy conservation plan aimed at easing the country's economic crisis.
The move comes amid talks with the International Monetary Fund to soften some conditions on Pakistan's $6 billion bailout, which the government thinks will cause a further increase in inflation.
Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif and Minister for Power Ghultam Dastghir said on Tuesday that the government decided to shut establishments early as part of the new energy conservation plan approved by the Cabinet. Authorities also ordered wedding halls and restaurants to shut at 10 p.m.
The measures are designed to save energy and curtail the costs of imported oil, for which Pakistan spends $3 billion annually and which is used to generate most of Pakistan's electricity.
Representatives of shopping malls, restaurants and shop owners want the government to reverse the decision. Many Pakistanis do their shopping and dine at restaurants as late as midnight.
Business leaders say the new measures will have a negative impact on their establishments, which suffered during the pandemic under government-imposed lockdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The IMF released the last crucial tranche of $1.1 billion to the cash-strapped country in August and since then, talks between the two parties have stalled.
Pakistan says last summer's devastating floods caused up to $40 billion in damages, making it difficult for the government to comply with some of the IMF's conditions, including increases in the price of gas and electricity and new taxes.
Also Wednesday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar lashed out at former Prime Minister Imran Khan, accusing him of “raising a false...