Economy
 
Early closure of shops divided traders
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Visits 29
May 04, 2012
Early closure of shops in economic hub of the country has once again become bone of contention among traders, as small traders have denied decision of closing shops at 09:00pm taken by business community.

After a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, the business community had decided to close the markets at 9pm.

The government and businessmen under the head of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) had decided that the markets will start closing at 08:30pm but no shop would be allowed to remain open after 09:00pm.

However, Aitq Mir Chairman Alliance of Markets Association expressing displeasure said that the Karachi is an economic hub and retail markets of Karachi have practice of operating until late hours in the evening.

The chief minister held a meeting with business community to discuss closure of shops in the light of the National Energy Commission‘s recommendations.

Earlier, Qaim has held a meeting on April 12 and various business associations had expressed their views regarding the 08:00pm closure time.

Mir said that the business is continuously shrinking due to ongoing menace of target killings and extortionism as it is direly affecting the trade activities of the metropolis. He said that businesses are already suffering from long, unannounced power cuts during business hours.

He said all parties have taken a hands-off approach towards the major issues of Karachi, adding immense fear exists among the traders as they feel insecure at all times. He said the customers were not turning to the markets, as they also fear for their lives while many markets depict a gloomy picture.

He said much needed investment has been on a halt due to indifferent condition of the city while many businessmen were moving to other centres.

He said during the past two months the traders suffered a heavy loss of Rs 50 billion in total due to the situation of the city, adding the economy of Karachi was on a steep decline while proper steps would need to be taken to control it.

“Casual statements from the authorities would not resolve the issue, practical steps would need to be taken”, Mir said.

He said the government should give free hand to the police while he also demanded further legislation regarding the issue. He expressed satisfaction over the performance of the police however he said their hands have been tied. He said the police should take unbiased and indiscriminate action against the culprits.

He said all political parties, stakeholders and law enforcement agencies would have to play their part in order to bring back peace to the metropolis.

He said the inflation had already broken the backs of traders while the security situation has put the final nail in their coffin.

Senior laboir leader HabibuddinJunaidi said the biggest weapon in politics under such circumstances was political will.

He said target killing and extortionism was a part of overall unsatisfactory security situation in the metropolis, adding carryover effect of Afghan war still exists in our society.

He pointed out it was the duty of every individual and not just of law enforcement agencies and political parties to make efforts in bringing lasting peace.

He said the law enforcement agencies particularly police should be trained properly while hi-tech equipments and weapons should also be provided to them so that they could face the challenge.

In the meeting with CM, he explained the businessmen that the need to ensure early closure in order to meet the energy shortage, being saved by the whole community. He appreciated KCCI who regardless of the disadvantages who are willing to cooperate with the Sindh Government for early closure.

SirajQasimTeli suggested that a committee comprising of representatives of business community would be constituted to ensure implementation of decision and requested the chief minister to ensure also that no representative of the administration needlessly harasses the traders since the business community was willing to take the responsibility of implementation of the announcement.

It was further decided that any complaint about any harassment will be communicated to the competent authority. Minister Power suggested that the implementation committee would be approached if there was any complaint regarding non implementation of decision.

During the meeting, the Business Community also raised the issue of KESC and registered problems about notices issued by KESC to various cottage industries on the pretext of load.

Regarding two day weekly off they opposed the implementation of a five-day working week at government offices, banks and schools, arguing that a two-day weekend will further aggravate the country’s economic crisis. “The new law has already failed and it is bound to increase problems for people,” said JameelParacha, Vice Chairman, All Karachi TajirIttehad, adding that the decision should be withdrawn as it has put the working class in a “mental disorder”.

He was of the view that there could be no benefit from a two-day holiday for students as it would amount to a loss in education not worth saving 500 megawatts of electricity. The government should purchase or generate power, said PAracha, adding that action should be taken against people involved in power theft.

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