The government of Bangladesh has begun enforcing a new policy requiring all shopping malls and markets across the country, including in Dhaka, to close by 6 p.m. daily. The measure, implemented from Friday, aims to conserve fuel and electricity as part of a broader energy-saving initiative. On the first day of enforcement, major shopping centers such as Bashundhara City, New Market, Mirpur, and Jamuna Future Park shut their doors promptly at 6 p.m., bringing evening commercial activity to a halt.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions from the public and business owners. Many shoppers were unaware of the new rule and expressed frustration after being denied entry in the evening, while small and medium traders said their peak sales hours begin after sunset. Social media discussions reflected both criticism and support, with some urging flexibility on weekends and others praising the move as a responsible step toward reducing energy consumption.

Concerns were also raised about reduced evening foot traffic potentially affecting urban safety. Observers noted that the long-term impact on electricity savings and daily life remains to be seen.