HYDERABAD, June 1: It was business as usual in commercial areas, bazaars and main markets on Sunday even after the 9pm deadline for closure of business under the federal government’s plan for energy conservation.

Local traders are trying to seek an extension of one and a half hours in the deadline for closing business activities. Shopkeepers in the Cantonment, Soldier Bazaar, Lajpat Road, Resham Bazaar, Tilak Incline, Cloth Market, parts of Latifabad and Qasimabad kept their shops open despite getting an extra hour after time change.

“Our business is going on as usual. Shopkeepers in this area have no inclination to close their businesses at 9pm under government’s directive although they are aware of new business timings,” said Hafeez Sheikh, a jeweller of the busiest commercial area of Cantonment.

Representatives of traders had held a meeting with DCO Dr Farooq Leghari on Saturday and sought extension in deadline. The meeting was also attended by superintending engineers-I and II of Hyderabad Electricity Supply Company.

The traders’ representatives told the DCO that the load-shedding was adversely affecting their business for a couple of months. “The load-shedding continues throughout the day still traders and general public are being slapped with inflated electricity bills,” they complained.

They said that there should be no load-shedding after evening prayers, which was a prime time of business for them, and that they should be allowed to close their shops at 10.30 pm. The Hesco officials blamed increase in tariff for inflated bills.

The local traders’ demand for extension in business hours means that they will be closing their shops at 9.30pm, in accordance with old timing, which is in sharp contrast to government’s plan that seeks to ensure closure of shops at 9pm under new timings, which will be 8pm as per old timing, to save two hours.

DCO Dr Farooq Leghari told Dawn that traders wanted to be allowed to work till 10.30pm and he could do nothing but communicate their demand to provincial authorities.

A meeting of traders is scheduled for Monday to discus the situation.