KARACHI: The Sindh Tajir Ittehad (STI) and All Pakistan Jewellers Manufacturers Association (APJMA) have rejected the Sindh government’s decision of banning businesses and markets to operate outside the time frame of 6 am to 6 pm.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, APJMA Chairman Muhammad Arshad said that the decision to open shops at 6 am is not viable and suggested that they be allowed to operate from 9 am till 8 pm instead.
Sindh Tajir Ittehad (STI) Chairman Jameel Paracha said that it is impossible for traders to implement the new reduced shop timings in any way, warning that traders will put up resistance if the police come to enforce the decision.
“While the business community is already reeling from adverse impacts of the previous COVID-19 lockdown, efforts are being made to limit business activities once again,” he said.
On Monday, the government had issued a notification announcing that all businesses and markets will be allowed to open only from 6 am to 6 pm while no one would be allowed to work operate on weekends except essential services.
Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shalwani had imposed a ban on indoor dining services in all restaurants from Tuesday due to the second COVID-19 wave.
According to the new instructions, only open-air restaurants have been permitted to continue dine-in services. He directed all deputy commissioners of the city to ensure the implementation of new orders.
The Commissioner said that new restrictions will help in controlling the spread of the virus. It is worth mentioning here several areas of the metropolis have been already put under micro and smart lockdowns owing to the Covid-19 second wave.
