City traders are divided over the early closure of markets and marriage halls, as decided by the federal government to overcome the energy crisis, Pakistan Today has learnt. The federal government in order to save electricity has taken a decision of closing markets at 8pm and marriage halls by 10pm. It also decided to observer two-day weekly holidays. Traders backed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have spoken against the decision of the federal government and said that their businesses were not going well and now early closure of markets would further drop sales. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah already opposed the decision of the federal government for two-day holidays in a week.
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) also opposed the decision of federal government for observing two-day closure. Some traders favoured the closure but demanded of the federal government to observe equality in implementing the decision. Qaumi Tajir Ittehad Liberty Market Finance Secretary Babar Ali Bhatti said that traders were already facing problems in doing business and with this decision, problems would increase. He said that it was the wedding season and often people shop until late night. “Late shopping helps our business to grow and our sales increases,” he said, adding that now the decision of closing markets early would hamper sales. Bhatti said the government should take all stakeholders in confidence before taking such decisions.
Mall Road Traders Association Chairman Muhammad Jahangir said that if such a decision was implemented then it would be very damaging for businesses. He said the economic condition of traders did not allow early closure of markets. Anjuman Tajran Electronics Hall Road and Link McLeod Road General Secretary Amin Mazhar Butt said that it was a good decision provided if implemented across the board. He said that if early closure of markets could control load shedding then it should be followed. He said that all markets and business centres should follow the decision and there should be no injustice. “In the past, we have seen that some markets are closed and some in posh localities were allowed to operate,” he said, adding that no one should be allowed to open markets after 8pm.
Marriage hall owners said that they were already closing halls at 10pm. An owner of a wedding hall in Garden Town said that the decision would not impact their businesses, as they were the only one who closed wedding centres at 10pm.
