Provincial Industries and Trade Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal has said that every sector including the business sector had to face adverse conditions due to corona pandemic. He assured that it is our responsibility to resolve their problems and added that we would nicely fulfill this responsibility.
The minister said this during his visit to Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday where he met with industrialists and traders. LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh briefed him about the problems being faced by the traders and industrialists’ community. The Industrialists and traders apprised him about their demands regarding water charges, regularization of Lahore industry, opening of marriage halls, increasing timings of markets and opening up markets on Saturday.
They also informed him about stagnant rain water in the markets and problems arising out of it. Aslam Iqbal maintained that everyone demanded to impose complete lockdown during the prevalence of corona pandemic and commended that Prime Minister Imran Khan adopted a balanced and appropriate strategy to cope up with Covid pandemic in spite of adverse circumstances.
He lauded that the prime minister wanted to save the masses from hunger, disease and positive results have surfaced due to his wise decisions. The minister disclosed that we are providing conducive environment for doing business and industrialists are provided facilities on priority basis. Aslam Iqbal directed WASA MD to submit a report to levy water charges on the traders and industries on equal basis.
He also directed the MD to himself conduct visit of Brandreth Road and resolve water drainage problems surfacing over there. He directed to clean up the drains and stagnant water should not remain in the markets. He warned that such problems should not arise in future.
The minister with regard to regularization of Lahore industry stated that the master plan of Lahore is being revised and till final plan is not chalked out, no notices will be served to the Lahore industry by of LDA. He assured that this problem will be resolved with the preparation of master plan.
Alsam Iqbal disclosed that he would put up the proposal regarding opening restaurants before the federal government after Eid-ul-Azha. He further highlighted that marriage halls will be opened in the first week of September in case of improvement in the corona pandemic situation. He highlighted that enhancing the timings of markets and opening them on Saturday will be decided unanimously in the cabinet committee and NCOC meetings and it will be implemented.
The traders and industrialists paid rich tributes to Aslam Iqbal for taking personal interest and making vigorous endeavours in order to resolve their problems. The WASA MD, officers of Housing Department, LCCI former president Almas Haider, LCCI executive committee members and a large number of industrialists and traders were also present on the occasion.
