ISLAMABAD: Traders have asked Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javaid Bajwa to take notice of inappropriate use of army troops for forcibly closing down the businesses of small traders.
All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran General Secretary Naeem Mir said in a video message appealed to the Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to take notice of the ‘high-handedness’ of the government as closing of shops would mean financial collapse of the shopkeepers, businessmen, particularly the low-income traders.
“We are following all the SOPs for coronavirus and assure the government no violations would be committed during the Eid holidays, said Mir requesting the provincial and the district government to allow them opening of the shops.”
Naeem Mir and warned of a protest demonstration in front of the NCOC headquarters in Islamabad after Eid if heir demands were not met.
He said the army was called by the government under Article 245 to ensure implementation of the Covid-19 SOPs. However, it was being used by the government to get the businesses of small shopkeepers forcibly closed which is a wrong act on the part of government,” he lamented.
The All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran General Secretary expressed concerns over use of such a prestigious institution by the government for closing down businesses on the pretext of Covid-19 SOPs and NCOC guidelines.
“A complete lockdown is unreasonable for the traders and lower working classes as they have already been facing financial crisis owing to the limitations imposed by the government to control the spread of the coronavirus, he said.
Mir said the anti-business strategies of the government had brought economic stagnation, adding that hese policies have roughly affected import-export, trade and industrial activities.
Earlier, the Punjab government had announced that a full lockdown will be imposed across the province throughout the Eid holidays (May 8 to May 16) to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections.
The Sindh government also announced a new set of restrictions as part of the national “Stay Home- Stay Safe” drive to curb coronavirus during the Eid holidays.
In a notification issued by the Sindh Home Department, the provincial government stated that the new restrictions will remain in place from May 9 to 16.
According to a notification issued in this regard, all markets, businesses and shops will remain closed during the period except essential services. Special Eid bazaars / ‘Chand-Raat Bazars’ mehndi, jewellery/ornaments shops shall remain closed during the period being non-essential.
