Dhaka, April 5 -- A government push to conserve electricity amid a fuel crunch has collided with the reality of Dhaka's retail economy, where traders say the clock -- not consumption -- has been targeted, putting their busiest hours at risk.

As part of emergency measures driven by tensions in the Middle East, offices across Bangladesh began observing reduced hours from Sunday, operating between 9am and 4pm.

The plan also introduced limits on shop timings, but its application has left many traders uncertain.

Across neighbourhoods, small shopkeepers say they are unclear whether the directive applies to them.

Grocery stores, laundries and salons report receiving no formal instructions, leaving them to rely on assumptions.

Many have call...