Govt urged to reopen marriage halls

LCCI warns various associated industries, jobs of millions of workers at stake

LAHORE:

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday urged the government to address grievances of marriage hall owners and catering service providers as the closure of these sectors had put investment of billions of rupees at stake.

During a meeting with the delegation of Lahore Marriage Hall Association and caterers, LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah assured them that recommendations of the delegation would be forwarded to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to pave the way for the opening of marriage halls.

He pointed out that a Covid-19 vaccination centre had been established at the LCCI where owners of marriage halls should get their staff vaccinated.

Read more: NCOC drops several Covid restrictions

LCCI office-bearers said that Covid infection rate had dropped to 1% in Lahore, adding that outdoor events were not possible due to hot weather.

They said that marriage halls should be opened immediately as it was the only sector which had remained closed since long.

Meeting participants said that the government should allow the opening of marriage halls immediately to salvage various associated industries and jobs of millions of workers. They said marriage halls had contributed substantially to the economy of Pakistan.

The closure of banquet halls and marquees has affected various industries, which include poultry, rice, meat, cooking oil, flour, fruits/vegetables, crockery, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, decoration, furniture, electronics/lighting, photography, wedding cards, jewellery, etc.

Around 20% of revenues of the food industry in Punjab depended on the operation of marriage halls.