The business community has called on the government to end the practice of sealing businesses over violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and instead give warnings along with imposition of small fines.
In a meeting at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Friday, the businessmen argued that the sealing of businesses was affecting the credibility of traders and it was not the right solution to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
They said that the sealing of businesses would ultimately hurt the already weak economy and create more problems for future economic growth.
Chairing the meeting, ICCI President Yasir Ilyas Khan said that businessmen spent years building reputation and goodwill of their business and the Federal Board of Revenue, local administration and other government departments were sealing businesses on small violations.
"This badly damages the reputation of businesses and causes massive financial losses to businessmen," he said.
"Sealed businesses have to suffer more and strive to restore their prestige in the local community, which places extra financial burden on them."
He was of the view that imposing small fines on businesses rather than sealing them for SOP violations would save them from unnecessary losses and generate revenue for the government at the same time. He emphasised that the government should ensure strong enforcement of SOPs to control the spread of Covid-19.
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Heavy fines should be imposed on traders and business house who flout SOPs.