Reopening of marriage halls demanded

President of Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan Rahim Agha demanded the government to allow restaurants and marriage hall owners to resume complete business activities with standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“The government should allow restaurant owners to continue complete business operations under SOPs to escape from abuse and blackmailing by the police and local administration,” said Agha while addressing a sit-in at Manan Chowk on Monday.

Agha, who is also the President of All Balochistan Restaurant and Hotel Association, demanded the government should allow shops to conduct businesses till 10 pm from July 15 in the wake of Eidul Azha which is a few weeks ahead.

A rally was organised by Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan, All Balochistan Restaurant and Hotel Association, Marriage Hall Association, Nan Bai Association, Balochistan Mutton and Beef Association, Traders Action Committee and other traders organizations to voice their demands.

Participants of the rally led by Agha and other leaders reached Manan Chowk from different highways of the provincial capital, Quetta.

Agha said the police blackmailed traders under the guise of lockdown by sealing shops while the magistrate remained absent from the current scenario.

Later, Balochistan Awami Party Central General Secretary and Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar arrived at the spot and held talks with the demonstrators. He assured them to convey their legitimate demands to Chief Minister Jam Kamal and get them approved.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2020.