LCCI urges review of business closure schedule

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) along with the other chambers of commerce across Pakistan on Sunday called upon the government to reconsider closure of businesses by 6 pm and no business activities during weekends.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah said that National Command Operations Center (NCOC) decided to close normal businesses by 6:00 pm during the month of Ramazan, but the business community was not satisfied with the decision. He urged the government to reconsider the decision to save businesses from further losses. He emphasised that the government should give a second thought to this decision and allow businesses to remain open until 10pm - 12 am in Ramazan.

He added that before taking any decision that has a direct impact on the business community, the chambers of commerce and business representative bodies should be taken into confidence as unilateral decisions lead to detrimental consequences for business and economy. ”Reducing hours for business activities for a country like Pakistan would certainly be very harmful for the economy.” He stated the previous lockdowns had already taken its toll on the business community pushing many businesses to the verge of closure.

“Masks should be made mandatory for those working in shops. No customer should be allowed to enter the business premises without a mask.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2021.