Islamabad
The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) have demanded extension in business hours in Ramazan.
In separate but similar statements issued on Thursday, ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan and RCCI President Mohammad Nasir Mirza said that the National Command Operations Centre (NCOC) has decided to close normal businesses by 6:00pm during the month of Ramazan, but the business community of entire country is not satisfied with the decision.
They urged the government to reconsider it to save businesses from further losses. They said that Ramazan is a peak season for shopping due to Eid, but shortening the timings for businesses would have an adverse effect on business activities.
They said that reduced hours for businesses would cause more rush in markets which would lead to further spread of Covid-19.
They emphasised that the government should give a second thought to this decision and allow businesses to remain open until 10:00 to 12:00pm in Ramazan.
They further said that before taking any decision that has a direct impact on businesses, the major chambers of commerce and trade bodies should be taken fully on board and the practice of taking unilateral decisions should be avoided at all costs as such decisions always lead to detrimental consequences for business and economy.—TLTP
