Karachi, Islamabad Traders refuse early closure of markets

Friday, April 23, 2010 at 11:40 pm under Pakistan Breaking news Karachi, Islamabad Traders refuse early closure of markets

Karachi, Pakistan News :- Karachi and Islamabad traders have refused the government orders to close the markets at 8pm. After Karachi traders’ refusal on early closure of markets, the Sindh government has constituted a two-member committee to resolve the issue. Whereas, Rehman Malik said that the directive would be implemented strictly.

Sindh Chief Minister said that on the issue of 300mw cut in electricity supply to Karachi, MQM’s reservations should have to be addressed. In a breifing after Sindh Cabinet meeting, Qaim Ali Shah said that all government offices and educational insitutions would remain closed two days a week while office timinings have been extended by an hour a day. This step will decrease loadshedding by 30 percent. On the other hand, committees have been formed under the supervision of ministers to implement the plan of early closure of markets in Sindh.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the directive would be implemeneted with sticks. Traders said that they were ready to close the markets at 10pm. Organiser of Trader Action Committee in Islamabad, Ajmal Baloch and Traders leader Kashif Chaudhry while talking to Dunya News after meeting with Rehman Malik said that 7pm to 10pm is the peak hour of business, and early closure of markets will devastate their businesses.

Traders said that they were ready to close neon signs and half of the lights of shops, if the government agreed to their demand to close markets at 10pm. Rehman Malik said that traders demands would be met with sympathy after electricity production gets increased. He assured the traders that he would inform the Prime Minister about their demands.