Reopening of businesses and national unity

The reluctant Sindh government has allowed business activities across the province from today in accordance with the decisions of the National Coordination Committee. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced the reopening of the markets. However, he said that although the NCC had not yet given permission to open major markets, shopping malls, and departmental stores, therefore the respected places will remain closed till further notice.

In this regard, the Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar expressed confidence that the decisions regarding easing lockdown were taken by the consultations between the Center and the provinces. Pakistan is going through the worst crisis in its 72-year history. Pakistan is currently battling with two major problems – coronavirus and hunger. However, amid this distress, the Centre and the provinces have taken decisions with political insight and solidarity, which allay all fears of insurgency and tension in the country.

The federal government had also announced the incentives for the construction industries along with the reopening of business activities. Karachi – the industrial and commercial hub of Pakistan – is considered as the mainstay of the country’s economy. The whole country got affected when restrictions are imposed on industry and trade. Neither the federation nor the provinces have the resources to run the country’s system indefinitely.

The federal government is taking all the decisions and initiatives in collaboration with all provinces, which is creating an atmosphere of unity and harmony in the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan has always provided suggestions to the provinces to implement the decisions taken for preventing the coronavirus. The assurance of 99 percent implementation of the NCC meeting decisions by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was also a positive message. Pakistan is in stern need of this kind of unity to deal with a global pandemic.

CM Murad Ali Shah along with the permission has imposed the responsibility of implementation of SOPs on traders. It is now the responsibility of traders to ensure adherence to the principles of social distance between people in the markets. Because Sindh has the highest rate of coronavirus cases as compared to other provinces. If the coronavirus spreads further due to the opening of the markets, the business will be suspended once again and the traders will be responsible for the setback.