Published: 12:34 AM, 13 August 2026
Power crisis: Shops, markets across country to close by 8pm
The government has decided to restrict the operating hours of shopping malls, markets and shops across the country until 8:00pm. -Agency
Amid the ongoing electricity country, the government has ordered to close shopping malls, shops and markets across the country by 8pm.
According to a notification issued by the Power Division on Wednesday, shopping malls, markets and shops will remain open from 11:00am to 8:00pm, replacing the previous closing time of 9:00pm.
The directive also requires all lit billboards to be switched off by 7:00pm and decorative lighting to remain off at all times.
The restrictions will also apply to ongoing and upcoming fairs and cultural programmes across Bangladesh, which must end by 8:00pm.
Restaurants, hospitals and pharmacies will be exempt from the new restrictions.
The move comes at a time when Bangladesh is facing renewed pressure on electricity generation largely due to inadequate gas supplies and the rising cost and availability of imported fuels.
More than 40 percent of the country's electricity generation capacity is gas-based, while declining domestic gas production has increased dependence on imported LNG.
The gas shortage has repeatedly disrupted power generation, forcing authorities to manage electricity supply through load shedding, particularly during periods of high demand.
The country's peak electricity demand has recently hovered around 18,000 MW, putting additional pressure on the power system during peak hours.
