The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed support for the traders in their opposition to Punjab government’s plan to impose Smart Lockdown for eight days on Eidul Azha in the province.
LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Shaikh said that lockdown in any form will adversely impact small businessmen and employees and will ultimately lead more and more people go below the poverty line. Mr Shaikh and Executive members – Khalid Pervaiz and haris Atiq said that they support the traders demand for opening of the markets on Eid. Irfan Shaikh termed the traders demand for opening of markets on Eidul Azha ‘just’, saying the government, instead of lockdown, should increase markets timing to facilitate the masses.
He called the government decision regarding smart lockdown as uncalled-for.
LCCI Executive Committee member and young trader from Anarkali Haris Atiq said that the Punjab government’s announcement regarding lockdown has shocked the traders, adding that tradrers, especially the small businessmen and employees were already grappling with the adversity of the earlier lockdown, which has forced their families to starvation.
The LCCI leaders vehemently demanded the Punjab government to take back its smart lockdown decision.
The LCCI president, accompanied by Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar and Vice President Mian Zahid Jawaid Ahmad told a delegation of traders from different markets that closure of businesses before Eidul Azha would give a big blow to the traders who are struggling to cope with the challenges.
They said that business community has paid a heavy cost to COVID-19 during prolonged lockdown. Despite a biggest financial loss, businessmen cooperated with the government to stop spread of coronavirus. They said that now by the grace of Almighty Allah, untiring efforts of the government, sacrifices of paramedic staff and unprecedented cooperation of the business community, situation of coronavirus is well under control therefore, there is no need for closure of businesses before Eid.
“Allowing 24 hours businesses till Eidul Azha would be a wise decision as it would help people to do shopping at suitable timings and no rush in the markets would be witnessed”, they added.
The LCCI office-bearers said that business community is the backbone of the economy and playing a great role in providing employment to the people and revenue to the government.
The office-bearers of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that businessmen would ensure implementation of safety measures and standard operating procedures (SOPs) given by the government to avoid spread of coronavirus.
They also appealed to the masses to follow the SOPs as control the spread of COVID – 19 is responsibility all segments of society.
