LAHORE – The traders of the city declared that they would not follow any decision of closing shops at 8pm and would launch protests if the government tried to threaten or force them on Tuesday. The traders said though no decision had been taken as yet but there were rumours that the government would try to order closing down of the markets at 8pm in order to save power. “Our businesses have already collapsed due to continuous load shedding and this decision would prove as the final nail in the coffin,” said Qaumi Tajar Itthad Traders Association President Babar Ali Khan adding that the traders would not follow this decision.
He said the electricity in the commercial areas of the city was already closed at 8pm therefore there was no reason to force the traders for closing down the shops. Qaumi Tajir Ittehad Liberty Market Finance Secretary Babar Ali Bhatti said such steps would only create a rift between the traders and the government. He said the Liberty market traders would go on strike if the government forced them to close the shops. Bhatti said the government instead of taking such steps should implement a weekly holiday.
“A large number of shops in Defence, Gulberg, The Mall, Ichra and other areas remain open on Sundays and nobody bothers about their functioning,” he said adding that the government instead of closing shops should have instructed to switch off air conditioners. Staff Report
