Provincial Industries & Trade Minister Aslam Iqbal has said that the government eased lockdown keeping in view economic difficulties of the masses as our weak economy cannot withstand prolonged lockdown.
The minister was talking to a delegation of Lahore Restaurants Unity at PBIT Office on Wednesday in which problems arising out of closure of hotel industry due to coronavirus pandemic came under discussion. The delegation members included Aamir Rafiq Qureshi, Chairman, Lahore Restaurants Unity, Goharaiz Habib Lodhi, Country Head, KFC Pakistan, Arif Khan, CEO, Cock and Bull, Wajdan Azeem, Director, Tabaq and others.
The delegation members demanded to open business activities of hotel industry as many small businesses and employment of thousands of people are linked with this industry. They assured to fully implement SOPs issued by the government and demanded to open hotel industry.
The minister maintained that prolonged lockdown can aggravate difficulties and agonies of the poor segments of society. Aslam Iqbal stated that we are fully aware about the difficulties of hotel industry arising due to its closure and assured them to put up this matter before NCOC and cabinet committee meeting.
He said that decision in this regard will be taken in the light of recommendation put forth by the experts after holding mutual consultations. He apprised that coronavirus cases are increasing speedily due to committing violation of SOPs and advised that the spread of coronavirus cases can be curtailed by adopting precautionary measures.
The minister appealed to the masses not to desist from shunning precautions for the sake of saving their own as well as lives of their dear ones. Lahore Restaurants Unity Chairman Amir Qureshi urged the government to restore business activities of the restaurants and assured to implement SOPs along with showing complete cooperation to the government.
