The traders across Sindh have rejected the government’s new Covid-19 restrictions.
On Friday, the Sindh government announced new decisions after coronavirus cases, especially those of the Delta variant, rose in the province.
Indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants has been banned, markets will be allowed to stay open from 6am to 6pm and a ban has been imposed on weddings and gatherings.
“These restrictions are the economic murder of traders,” Karachi Electronics Dealers’ Association head Muhammad Rizwan Irfan said.
“If the government wants us the implement these measures it should return us our tax money.”
The Tajir Action Committee, All Karachi Restaurant Association, and All Karachi Marriage Hall Lawn Banquet Association have called a meeting on Saturday, July 24, in protest against the Sindh government.
They will meet at the residence of Sharjeel Goplani, president of the Karachi Sindh Tajir Ittehad.The associations have warned of protests and rallies if their demands are not met.
“The government has left us on our own,” All Karachi Traders Association head Ateeq Mir said. “We are not against the precautionary measures but closing markets two days a week is clear injustice with us.”
What will daily wagers do? How will they run their houses? Will the government give them money?
Mir added that the government should have consulted with the traders before announcing the new measures. “Talk to us. We can devise a plan to implement strict SOPs instead of complete closure.”
The Marriage Halls Association also announced to hold protests against the closure of wedding halls in Sindh province.
Rana Raees Ahmed, President of All Karachi marriage hall association, expressed displeasure over the Sindh government’s decision and announced protests across the country.
While addressing a press conference, he said that all the marriage halls are abiding by SOPs issued by the Sindh government.
“We strongly condemn this decision. We have convened a meeting of our association,” he said, adding that the emergency meeting will work out a plan of action against the newly imposed restrictions.
Rana Raees said the association will stage protest demonstrations in Karachi in the first phase and threatened that they would expand the scope of their protest.
