Bangladesh Reinstates Mandatory 7pm Commercial Curfew

The Government of Bangladesh has reintroduced a statutory directive ordering all retail shops, shopping malls, and commercial markets nationwide to shut down by 7:00 pm daily. This regulatory measure has been revived by the administration as a direct intervention to reinforce ongoing national energy-saving operations.

The official notification was disseminated on Monday by the Coordination-2 Branch of the Power Division. Under the provisions of this new mandate, all forms of advertising billboard illuminations must also be deactivated by 7:00 pm. Additionally, the revised operational window applies to all regional and national public exhibitions, trade fairs, and outdoor cultural events, which are now legally required to wrap up by the same early evening deadline.

Transition from Holiday Extensions to Standard Restrictions

The executive order was communicated directly to all divisional commissioners, city corporation mayors, municipal administrators, and district Deputy Commissioners to ensure immediate compliance. The Power Division explained that a 7:00 pm commercial curfew had initially been established under directives from the Prime Minister to curb excessive power consumption.

However, this policy was temporarily relaxed in the lead-up to the Holy Eid al-Adha festival, during which businesses were permitted to extend their trading hours until 10:00 pm to facilitate seasonal commerce. The Power Division’s latest decree clarifies that because the special festive concessions have expired, the strict conservation rules have been formally re-established with effect from 1 June. Therefore, the three-hour extension has been revoked, forcing all retail entities to compress their operations back to the 7:00 pm threshold.

Comparative View of National Operating Deadlines

The table below outlines the precise adjustment of operational and lighting hours across the country’s commercial sectors as mandated by the Power Division:

Implementation and Regulatory Compliance

The Power Division has requested all local government administrators and regional law enforcement bodies to deploy necessary field monitors to guarantee uniform execution of the policy. Municipal authorities have been instructed to conduct routine inspections within their respective zones, and any businesses found operating or illuminating signage past the 7:00 pm limit will face administrative penalties under the reinstated conservation framework.