Punjab to take own course over trade timings

Business community divided over federal govt's energy conservation plan

LAHORE:

Following the federal government's announcement about closing the markets at 8:30pm to save energy, Senior Minister of Punjab Mian Aslam Iqbal has said that the Punjab government will take a decision in this regard on its own after a cabinet meeting.

Several leaders of the business community criticised the time limit, while an organisation of traders backed by the PML-N announced its support for the decision.

Senior Minister Aslam Iqbal said the federal government was taking such decisions due to its failure.

He said that all stakeholders would be consulted, including the chambers of commerce and shopkeepers.

"The country's economy has already shrunk. The present government is taking revenge for its failure from the masses. Punjab government will not accept any decision of the Imported government," he asserted in a statement.

On other hand, the chairman of the supreme council of his own group of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran, Naeem Mir, said, "We are ready to cooperate with the state to save energy."

He said the federal government should work with all provincial governments to ensure uniform business closing hours.

"The announcement of fixing the business hours was made after consultation with us. The government should come up with a comprehensive energy saving programme. Under the plan, all sections should make sacrifices and contribute," he said.

He said the government had also brought a plan to reduce its ministerial expenses. Free fuel and energy for the bureaucrats should also be stopped, the traders' leader added.

He said a national campaign of austerity should be launched. If everyone would not contribute, it would be impossible to get out of the economic crisis, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2023.