Traders seek extended business hours

Lifting of ban on public transport welcome by business leaders

ISLAMABAD: With Eidul Fitr just a week away, the business community in the federal capital has urged the authorities concerned to allow shopping malls to reopen.

In a statement on Sunday, former Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) president  Shahid Rasheed Butt said that reopening of public transport was a very wise decision by the government as millions of people linked to this sector were facing serious problems due to the prolonged lockdown.

SHC extends stay order for old vegetable market relocation

It will also benefit millions who want to go to their homes for Eid, he said.

He also demanded the immediate reopening of all shopping malls and departmental stores to provide relief to thousands of business people and their employees while helping the masses buy the necessary items for the festival.

Further, Butt said that the timings for shops and markets to remain open should be increased to reduce overcrowding which can, in turn, cause more infections.

He said that the government has already reopened shops, markets, the construction sector and many other businesses which have provided relief to masses and the business community and now it should allow other stores to resume operations.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2020.