The Sindh government and the traders’ community of the city have mutually agreed to close down all business activities in the metropolis by 8:30 in the night and not to allow any shop to remain open after 9:00 pm.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah held a meeting with the business community of Karachi on Saturday to discuss the time of closing shops in light of the National Energy Commission’s recommendations.
On April 12, the chief minister had also held a meeting with various business associations in which they had discussed their views regarding the 8:00 pm closure time.
The business community has expressed displeasure over the 8:00 pm closure time and informed the chief minister that the metropolitan is an economic hub and the retail markets here have usually operate until late hours of the evening.
They had expressed concern over as well as registered complaints regarding the deteriorating law and order situation, and the chief minister took immediate notice of all the complaints.
The business community appreciated the efforts of the provincial government and thanked the chief minister for his prompt directives to the police, resulting in visits to various markets by Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police Akhtar Gorchani.
The businessmen stressed upon the need of Rangers personnel for vigilance along with the police as discussed in the previous meeting as well.
“This issue is not political and we must work together to resolve this national crisis of energy,” the chief minister said.
He apprised the businessmen community that the need to ensure early closure was to meet the energy shortage, which is only possible when the whole community takes steps to save it.
He appreciated the sagacity of the city’s businessmen who, regardless of the inconveniences to them, are willing to cooperate with the provincial government for early closure of shops.
The chief minister, Sindh Power Minister Shazia Marri, Rashid Rabbani and Zubair Motiwala held a detailed discussion with representatives of the business community, including Siraj Qasim Teli, Majeed, Javed, Meer Ateeq and Idrees.
The businessmen informed the chief minister that they had constituted a committee of likeminded traders and were focusing on creating a healthy business atmosphere with a positive attitude.
They assured that no negative elements would be allowed to foil the business environment or create rifts among traders.
The participants of the meeting suggested that keeping in mind Karachi’s economic importance and current crisis, any time for early closure be announced in light of ground realities.
It was decided that 8:30 pm would be considered as the closure time, but no shop would be allowed to remain open after 9:00 pm.
Siraj Qasim Teli suggested that a committee comprising representatives of the business community would be constituted to ensure the implementation of the decision and requested the chief minister to ensure that no representative of the administration would needlessly harass the traders, since the business community is willing to take the responsibility of implementation of the announcement.
It was also decided that complaints regarding harassment would be communicated to the competent authority.
The power minister suggested that the implementation committee be approached if there is any complaint regarding non-implementation of the decision.
The business community also raised the issue of the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and registered their problems about notices issued by the power company to various cottage industries on the pretext of excessive load.
The chief minister asked the business community to provide him with the details of the issue and ensured them that he would take necessary steps to address the issues regarding the KESC.
He appreciated the role of the business community and expressed his satisfaction over their willingness to close shops early in the national spirit to address the challenges of energy.
