Concern over crisis stemming from lockdown

FCCI asks govt to finalise SOP for restart of businesses after 14th

FAISALABAD: The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) has expressed concern over the critical economic crisis stemming from the prolonged corona-fuelled lockdown.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, FCCI President Rana Sikandar Azam Khan demanded that the government finalise the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the precautionary measures to be adopted by traders before restarting their business activities after April 14.

“However, if immediate decision is not taken, starvation will overshadow the threat from coronavirus,” he warned and added that the situation may also force unemployed daily-wage earners to indulge in criminal activities.

He stated that during the corona-related lockdown that started from March 24 the government took commendable measures to contain the pandemic but without considering its side-effect on the social and economic life.

Khan pointed out that in addition to the daily-wage earners, the white-collar trading class was also now feeling the heat from the lockdown. He said over the last two weeks traders had been facing a severe liquidity crunch, adding that many traders had rented premises and their landlords were demanding rent while they also needed money to meet their family needs in addition to paying utility bills.

“Despite lofty claims by the government, no practical assistance has so far been provided to needy segments,” the FCCI president remarked. Highlighting miseries of different business sectors, he pointed to the poultry sector which was selling chicken meat at sharply lower prices due to a lack of market demand. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2020.

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