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The President of Anjuman Tajran Karachi, Javed Shams, and the General Secretary of the All Karachi Restaurant Association, Faizan Rawat, have both rejected the government’s decision to close business centers at 8 pm.
President Javed Shams stated that if uninterrupted electricity supply is ensured to business centers, markets should be allowed to close at 9 pm. He expressed the rejection of the government’s decision on behalf of Anjuman Tajran Karachi.
Similarly, President Farooq Chaudhry of the All Pakistan Restaurants Association urged the government to immediately withdraw the decision to close shops at 8 pm. He argued that customers tend to leave their homes only after 8 pm during the summer season. Chaudhry also highlighted that markets around the world close early, while restaurants typically operate during the night hours, especially in the summer.
It should be noted that Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, announced that the National Economic Council had approved the closure of markets across the country at 8 pm as part of an energy-saving plan. He further stated that the provinces would be responsible for implementing this decision.
The opposition from traders and restaurant associations underscores the concerns of businesses and the impact that the early closure may have on their operations and customer footfall. The government’s decision will likely continue to be a subject of debate and discussion among various stakeholders.
