KARACHI: Pakistan’s traders on Tuesday called on the government to extend business hours and restaurant timings, which were limited as part of measures to conserve fuel, saying the curbs were affecting businesses in the country.
The government ordered in early April shops, markets and shopping malls to close by 8pm, and restaurants, bakeries, grocery shops and wedding halls by 10pm as part of an austerity plan to conserve costly imported fuel.
The directives came amid a rise in global energy prices due to widespread oil, gas and cargo supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, caused by the United States-Israel war on Iran and Tehran’s counterattacks in the Gulf.
Speaking at a press conference, Kashif Chaudhry, president of the Central Association of Traders in Pakistan, criticized the federal and provincial governments for the policy, which he described as “anti-business.”
“Business hours be extended to 10pm and restaurants be allowed to stay open till 12am,” he said. “Lockdown should be completely lifted on the occasion of Eid.”
The three-day Islamic festival of Eid Al-Adha is expected at the end of this month, which follows heightened commercial activity.
The government said in April the restrictive measures were aimed at reducing energy consumption, controlling electricity production costs, and safeguarding lower-income segments of the population from higher fuel prices in Pakistan, which imports most of its energy needs.
Chaudhry said the business community was facing severe difficulties despite paying more than 27 taxes and the situation had become unbearable for them.
He demanded the government exempt tourist places from lockdown restrictions with immediate effect.
“We will not allow the rights of traders to be compromised,” Chaudhry said, adding that they would stage a nationwide protest if their demands were not met.
