Traders irked at decision to restrict business timings
The Islamabad administration has blocked some streets in areas that have reported a high number of coronavirus cases. PHOTO: APP
Markazi Tanzeem-e-Tajiran Pakistan (MTTP) President Muhammad Kashif Chaudhry has strongly criticised the government for "its incompetence, reckless negligence, and failure to screen and test foreign passengers which have intensified the current wave of a novel coronavirus in the country".
In a telephonic consultation with business representatives across the country on the new announcement of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the MTTP president said that instead of focusing on mass vaccination, capacity building of hospitals, provision of ventilators and oxygen, the government wasted time on rallies and verbal promises. He said that the government’s imprudent decision to close business activities at 6pm would only devastate traders.
He added that Prime Minister Imran Khan and Planning Minister Asad Umar should make better decisions for the country and the nation in the critical hours after consulting with business organisations, chambers, and other stakeholders.
The traders’ representative further said that the government's misguided decisions will force traders across the country to take to the streets.
At the moment, the only way to save the economy and remaining protected against the virus was to work round the clock under Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
On this occasion, a number of traders’ representatives unanimously termed the government's new announcements as non-implementable and suggested holding dialogue to keep the economy running along with keeping the traders away from protests.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2021.