To close or not to close: Traders demand relaxed timings

Businessmen have urged the government to fix market closure times in consultation with traders. The demand was made by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Muzzamil Hussain Sabri on Friday, according to a press release. He also demanded that the government upgrade the Islamabad Expressway to a 10-lane signal-free road from Zero Point to Rawat to deal with the heavy rush and frequent traffic jams on the busy route. He also proposed a bypass for heavy traffic between Rawat and Pirwadhai. He added that traders, particularly those of Blue Area, have been adversely affected by the metro bus project. Highlighting how the Punjab government had waived property tax for Murree road traders in order to compensate them for losses suffered due to the metro’s construction, Sabri demanded the federal government announce a similar concession for Blue Area’s traders.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2015.