KARACHI (APP) - Citizens from all walks of life have supported proposed alteration in the shopping hours so as to efficiently handle power shortage in the metropolis as well as across the country. They were of consensus that all markets and shopping centers must start their business by 9:00 am, or maximum by 10:00 am, in the morning and close it down before dusk. They said it was important to overcome the culture of late night shopping. "We need to take advantage of the sunny hours and contribute towards power conservation," Abdul Shafi, a wholesale dealer said. The man of modest means opined that people in general were found wasting their precious time and tend to lead a tired life for going against the clock of nature. Nudrat Ahsan, a housewife, said she was aghast to notice that shops remained closed till afternoon and any plan to do shopping in the first half of the day and join the family by lunch has turned to be impossible. The citizens with regards to possible difficulties for office-goers said shops if kept open during first half of Sunday could help address the problem. They said that many of the department stores and markets are already doing business on Sundays too. Dr Swaleha Ikram referred to environmental pollution caused by power generators operated by shopkeepers for long hours and causing serious threat to environment. "It is not only the fumes but also the noise which is extremely torturous and does affect nerves of those constantly exposed to it," she said. Many of the Karachiites also suggested concerted efforts to curtail the trend of late night wedding ceremonies, keeping people of all age groups occupied. Nizar Aziz warned that kids allowed to go late to bed and made to get up early in the morning to attend their schools are found to be susceptible to different health conditions.