ISLAMABAD: As the shutdowns of market and business following the spread of coronavirus have already affected the business activities last year, the business community in the country’s capital has rejected the new restrictions imposed by the government.
The business community of the federal capital has called upon the government to withdraw the new coronavirus restrictions immediately to save the businesses from further losses.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club (NPC) on Monday, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that the decision would badly hit the businesses that were already struggling for revival due to previous lockdowns.
Khan was flanked by business leaders of the federal capital including All-Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran President Ajmal Baloch.
The ICCI president said that in the current tough times, businesses needed relief measures from the government in taxes, interest rates, loans and utility charges, but instead of providing any relief, the government was taking measures that would put businesses into deeper troubles.
ICCI president added that the customers normally do shopping on weekends due to not finding time on working days.
However, he appreciated the role of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hamza Shafqaat and his team for playing a frontline role against the spread of Covid-19 and cooperating with the business community in running business activities.
“But closing businesses on Saturday and Sunday will not only create problems for customers; it would also cause more rush in markets on other days and lead to further increase in the Covid-19 pandemic cases,” Khan said.
He added, “On behalf of the whole community I urge that businesses should be allowed to remain open on weekends to avoid rush and curb the spread of coronavirus.”
The members of the business community said that instead of closing businesses on weekends, ICT administration should focus on enforcement of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assured that the business community would fully cooperate with it in the implementation of SOPs while running business activities.
Ajmal Baloch said that due to previous lockdowns and restrictions, businesses have already suffered huge losses while the government has not provided any compensation to them.
They said the closure of businesses would render thousands of people jobless, therefore, new restrictions should be withdrawn.
The members of the business community announced that the traders will not allow entry to any customer in shops without wearing a mask.
They said that the government should form a new strategy against the Covid-19 pandemic by taking the business community on board.
