Traders oppose early closure of markets

All trade organisations and hotel-restaurant associations in Rawalpindi have rejected the federal government's proposal to close markets, restaurants and shopping malls at 8 pm.

The traders’ associations announced not to close markets at 8 pm. The traders said that if the administration tried to use force, there will be strong resistance. The traders have threatened to stage protests, shutter-down strikes, sits-in and a march on the Parliament House if the government implemented the decision.

The traders said that the government must prepare a policy in consultation with the representatives of trade organizations and chambers. They said that decision to close shops and commercial centres at 8 pm was unacceptable.

Traders said that the government should not impose its failures, incompetence, or economic declines on the traders. They said that economic dialogue should be held with all stakeholders to get the country out of the economic morass.

They demanded of the federal government to cut 50 per cent of its expenses and slash the number of ministers and advisers to cut unnecessary expenditures.

Vegetables Market Traders Association President Ghulam Qadir Mir said that the federal government should refrain from implementing the decision to forcefully close shops and shopping centres. He said that even during the coronavirus pandemic, shops and markets did not close at 8 pm.

He said that the timing for the closure of the shops and markets can be fixed in consultation with the traders. They said that they will not allow a forced decision to be imposed.

President of Traders Association Cantt Sheikh Hafeez and Secretary General Zafar Qadri said that all commercial centres open at 11 am and Christmas shopping was at its peak these days.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2022.