Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The business commaunity of Islamabad has warned against any move of the government to reduce the timings for markets and commercial centres as it would be destructive for the business activities and prove more harmful for the overall economy by making several businesses file for bankruptcy.
Speaking during a meeting at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), they said that Sindh has reduced timings for markets up to 6:00 pm, but it was not acceptable for the business community of the province as it would cause them great business loss. They said that no such move should be considered for Islamabad to save the businesses from further losses.
Chairing the meeting, President ICCI Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that the prolonged lockdowns and early closure of businesses over the past few months due to Covid-19 pandemic has destroyed many businesses and rendered hundreds of people jobless and cautioned that any further lockdown in markets or early closure of businesses would create more problems for the business community and lead to harmful consequences for the economy.
He said that many members of the business community were facing great problems in payment of rents, utility bills, salaries, taxes and loans as they were still struggling for the revival of businesses after the lockdowns. He called upon the government to take measures for strong enforcement of SOPs in markets and commercial centres to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic instead of considering early closure of businesses.
