Sports revival and trade and economic activities are parallel important for the country therefore a planning is direly needed for the near future so that both movements can be held without hurting each other.
These views were expressed by the traders of various markets while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry presided over by LCCI Vice President Mian Zahid Jawaid Ahmad. Bashir Baksh, Ch Khadam Hussain, Malik Kalim Ahmad and Rehmatullah Javed also spoke on the occasion.
The participants said that revival of sports activities in Pakistan was a good omen as it would definitely enlighten the soft image of the country but trade and economic activities have equal importance therefore government should make a plan in consultation with the stakeholders to hold the sports event without affecting the trade and economic activities.
The LCCI vice-president said that sports revival in Pakistan and travel advisory by the UK government were an ample proof of the fact that Pakistan was a peaceful and safest country. He said that the Lahore Chamber and the business community support efforts of the government aimed at highlighting the soft image of Pakistan’s but it was also important that business activities should not be damaged.
He said that during the recent cricket matches, Liberty and other markets and restaurants adjacent to Gaddafi Stadium were ordered to remain closed, which resulted in significant loss of business activities, especially for daily wage workers.
He said that a few PSL matches were scheduled to be held in Gaddafi Stadium during the next month. He said, ‘If the markets will be closed even during those matches also, the consequences would be worse. The business community and those earning daily wages will face further financial losses’.
He said the business community was ready to cooperate with the government to ensure all necessary security measures during these matches, but they also wanted that the adjacent markets and restaurants should not be forced to remain close because this will create the impression that the security conditions were not normal yet in the country.
