Traders at a loss over early closure

Say it will only be beneficial if power outages end

KARACHI:

The business community in the port city has demanded that the government end load shedding ‘completely’ after orders of the early closure of markets.

Traders and businesspeople stressed there would only be losses and no benefit of the exercise if authorities failed to meet such targets.

Reacting over the sudden order of the government, businesspeople commented that they had not been taken into confidence over the decision.

“It is a decision taken in haste,” commented Younis Khan, a shopkeeper in Saddar. “Don’t they see the inflation? The petrol prices? The unemployment?” he questioned in anger. “It will hit us badly,” he added. Atiq Mir, the head of the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad said that the government’s orders will affect everyone, including daily wagers.” He also said that the decision was taken in haste.

“We [the business community] have not been taken into confidence before issuing this order,” Mir complained. “Will they assure us an end to power outages after the early closure of business activities?” he questioned.

In his opinion, the policymakers, especially bureaucrats, do not guide the ministers properly. “They do understand the bad impact of the early closure of markets.” He said that the government needed to see business activities in Karachi. “It is peak summer and people in the city prefer to go shopping after sunset,” he explained.

“I will close my shop only if they end load shedding,” reacted Mohsin, a cabin owner. He believed power outages will not end with these measures. “Load shedding is not a new issue. I have been witnessing it since my childhood,” said the man who is in his 40s.

Mohammad Arshad, the chairman of the All Pakistan Jeweller Manufacturers Association, said he and his fellows will not accept these orders if the government failed to end load shedding.

He said that despite knowing the impact of inflation on the common people and the business community, the government has taken another wrong decision to press them from all sides. “It is going to affect all business activities in the coming days.”

He said that the majority of businesses in old city areas were already closed by 9pm. “This, however, is not a good decision for shopping malls and restaurant owners.

Another shopkeeper in Saddar said that he had already suffered police action during the Covid-19 lockdowns. “We are businessmen, not thieves. However, I assure you we will be treated like outlaws by the police. He stressed that not a single shopkeeper in his area was satisfied with new orders. “We are mentally disturbed,” he added.

Qais Mansoor Sheikh, the chairman of the Caterers Decorators Association was of the view that the government should provide the incentive of reduced less billing charges on the business community if they close their establishments early.

“And, yes it will certainly be a good decision for everyone if there is zero load shedding,” Sheikh said. “Yes, we all know the government wants to get rid of this problem and we will cooperate. However, who can guarantee that power outages will come to an end” he questioned.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2022.