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Karachi Traders Demand Immediate End to Lockdown Restrictions Amid Heatwave
Karachi traders have urged the government to lift lockdown restrictions or extend business hours, citing severe heat and declining business activity.
ND
by News Desk
2026-05-04
Karachi Traders Demand Immediate End to Lockdown Restrictions Amid Heatwave

Traders in Karachi have called on the federal and provincial governments to immediately end lockdown-style restrictions or extend business operating hours, as extreme weather conditions continue to impact commercial activity in the city.

According to the President of the Karachi Electronics Dealers Association, Rizwan Irfan, intense heat and high humidity have changed customer behavior, with most shoppers preferring to visit markets after 5 pm. He said that the current limited business hours have made it extremely difficult for traders to operate effectively.

He further stated that restricting business activity to only a few hours per day has severely damaged trade across markets. Traders are facing financial pressure due to reduced sales and limited customer turnout.

Rizwan Irfan appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to either lift the restrictions or allow shops to remain open later in the evening to accommodate both traders and customers.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has reported extreme weather conditions in Karachi, where temperatures have reached around 40°C, while the heat index has made conditions feel even hotter due to humidity and dry winds.

Traders say that without immediate relief in operating hours, many small businesses could face further losses, especially during the ongoing heatwave period.
Tagged:

#Karachi #Traders #BusinessNews #Heatwave #PakistanEconomy #Lockdown #Sindh #BreakingNews #Markets #Inflation
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