B Mirror Report: A section of shop owners has announced that all shops, retail outlets, and shopping malls across the country will close by 8 pm daily to help reduce pressure caused by the ongoing global energy crisis, while another major organisation has stated that no such decision has been made.

The shop closure decision was revealed in a statement on Thursday following a joint meeting of the standing committees of the Bangladesh Shop Business Owners’ Association and the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Business Owners’ Association, reports UNB.

The initiative aims to conserve electricity and fuel amid instability in international energy markets triggered by the situation in the Middle East.

According to the decision, all shops and malls will close by 8 pm, while essential services such as hotels, pharmacies, and kitchen markets will remain open beyond the deadline.

Association President Md Nazmul Hasan Mahmud and General Secretary Md Arifur Rahman Tipu have urged traders to comply with the directive.

However, the Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association has rejected the announcement, stating that no final decision has been made to enforce an 8 pm closure.

In a video message, its President Helal Uddin said that the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has scheduled a meeting on Saturday to discuss the issue.

He added that the meeting will be attended by the Home Minister and Commerce Minister, along with district-level leaders of the association, where energy-saving measures and a possible collective decision will be discussed.