The Punjab government on Thursday decided to increase business hours of markets and shopping malls following the demand from the traders’ community ahead of Eid.
Punjab Minister for Industries and Trade Mian Aslam Iqbal said all markets in the province will remain till 10pm from today (Friday). He said that the Punjab government has also reopened all shrines for visitors. The shrines will remain open for 24 hours, he said.
Mian Aslam said that the government was holding negotiations with the transporters for the resumption of public transport at motorways.
A meeting, presided over by the Punjab Minister for Industries, Commerce & Investment Mian Aslam Iqbal decided to cancel all exams under the Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE) in the wake of corona pandemic and approved policy regarding criteria for promotion to next class.
Technical & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) Chairperson Ali Salman Siddique, PBTE Chairperson Nazir Niazi, Secretary Board and COO TEVTA attended the meeting held in the Punjab Investment Board office.
Addressing the meeting, Mian Aslam Iqbal said that decision to cancel all exams under the PBTE was prompted due to Corona situation. The Diploma of Associate Engineering (DAE), Diploma in Commerce (D.COM), Matric Tech. and Vocational students who were eligible for promotion to next class as per policy have been allowed 40 percent concession in the examination fee. As many as 130165 students will benefit from this decision of the government. However, the students of these classes who failed in more than40 percent subjects will have to appear in special exam with full fee.
The minister said that about 177524 students were supposed to appear in the 2020 Annual exams, which stand now having been cancelled. Out of these, now 130165 students would not only be promoted but they will also be eligible to 40 percent concession in the examination fee. Provincial Industries and Trade Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal visited model bazaar in Johar Town and monitored prices and quality of essential items. The minister while talking to the media highlighted that the masses have been provided relief through 32 model bazaars across the province and essential items are being sold even below DC rates in theses model bazaars.
Customers visiting these bazaars are also provided awareness, he added. Aslam Iqbal stressed that stringent measures have been taken in order to keep the prices of essential commodities under control.
He asserted that stern action is being taken in case of any complaint regarding price hiking and heavy fines are also being imposed on those found involved in violating fixed government rates.
Aslam Iqbal assured that the government will run this industry smoothly and will never let it shut down under any circumstance. The Minister vowed that we will promote poultry industry and all its reservations will be removed. He reiterated that we are ready to negotiate with the representatives of poultry industry all the time and our doors are opened for them.
PTI government is standing by the traders and industrialists in this hour of difficulty and distress, concluded Aslam Iqbal.
