LCCI demands opening of Punjab markets until 8pm

LAHORE-President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry,  Mian Tariq Misbah has said that it would be easier to implement the decisions if the stakeholders were consulted before putting lockdown in place,  and reducing working hours.

‘We want to support the government in these difficult times, but the government should also take us into confidence’, he said while addressing a press conference along with representatives of the business community on the government’s decision to close the markets at 6 pm and take a holiday on Saturday and Sunday.

Senior Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan, Vice President Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry, former presidents Sheikh Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Ali Mian, Former Vice President Zeeshan Khalil and representatives of  markets including Khalid Pervaiz, Mehboob Ali Sirki, Ashraf Bhatti, Sohail Butt and Naeem Mir were also present.

LCCI President appealed the Federal Minister Asad Umer,  and Provincial Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal to reconsider the decision. He said that retail timing has been fixed till 8 pm in all other provinces while in Punjab,  this timing has been reduced to 6 pm. NCOC should issue a  uniformed notification for the country,  or at least retail sector should be allowed to operate in the Punjab till 8pm.

Nasir Hameed Khan said that reducing the time of the markets increases the rush which is more likely to spread the coronavirus. He asserted that it is in the best interest of public and trading community that the markets should be allowed to remain open for a longer period of time. 

Article source: https://nation.com.pk/20-Mar-2021/lcci-demands-opening-of-punjab-markets-until-8pm