Markets sealed in Larkana over SOP violations

The markets were penalised for defying warning of action against SOP violators

KARACHI: The Larkana police sealed on Thursday at least two main markets in the city, besides the mobile market in Asghar Plaza, Shahi Bazar and some shops on Bandar Road, over the violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Prior to this, in a notification issued by the deputy commissioner's office, citizens had been warned against violating SOPs, including wearing face masks and maintaining social distance at all times. As per the notifications, action against persons violating SOPs will be taken under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, pertaining to punishment for disobeying an order promulgated by a public servant.

The city's residents, on the other hand, claim that almost 70 per cent of them have been wearing masks.

"Everybody tries to wear a mask [at all times], but most people from rural areas avoid it and often don't even observe social distancing," a resident, Sameer Hullio, told The Express Tribune. This was even after the local administration has warned citizens of action in case of SOPs' violation, he said.

According to Hullio, the warning was issued after the city saw a steep rise in the number of coronavirus cases.

"And since the shopkeepers had been also warned, the sealed shops will now be reopened after 14 days," he said.

Another citizen, Yasir Hussain, who recently travelled to Khairpur and Sukkur, observed that while people in other cities often weren't mindful of following SOPs, the scenario was quite different in Larkana.

"Here, the administration is very serious [about implementing SOPs] and strict," he said. "Though most citizens in Larkana believe that the administration is only giving lip service when warning of action against SOPs' violators, I see the difference now."

Meanwhile, in Dokri takula, around 24 kilometres from Larkana city, assistant commissioner Masroor Ahmed Bajarani, along with law enforcement personnel, asked the public to wear masks and follow all SOPs issued by the government.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2020.