KARACHI - After a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, the business community have decided to close the markets at 9pm.
The government and traders have decided that the markets will start closing at 08:30pm but no shop would be allowed to remain open after 09:00pm.
The chief minister on Saturday held a meeting with business community to discuss closure of shops in the light of the National Energy Commission‘s recommendations.
Earlier, Qaim has held a meeting on April 12 and various business associations had expressed their views regarding the 08:00pm closure time.
In previous meeting, the business community expressed displeasure over the 08:00pm closure and explained that the Karachi is an economic hub and retail markets of Karachi have practice of operating until late hours in the evening.
They expressing concern also registered complaints about law and order and Chief Minister took immediate notice of all complaints. During today’s meeting, the Business Community appreciated efforts of the Government and thanked to Chief Minister Sindh for his prompt directives to the Police resulting in visits of various markets by the Additional Inspector General of Police Karachi Akhtar Gorchani.
The businessmen stressed upon Rangers vigilant alongwith the police as discussed in the previous meeting. “This issue is not political and we must work together to resolve this national crisis of Energy” said by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah. CM explained the Businessmen Community that the need to ensure early closure in order to meet the energy shortage, being saved by the whole community. He appreciated that the sagacity of businessmen from Karachi who regardless of the disadvantages who are willing to cooperate with the Sindh Government for early closure.
Chief Minister Sindh along with Sindh Minister for Power Shazia Atta Marri, Rashid Rabbani and Zubair Motiwala had detailed discussion with representatives of Business Community including Siraj Qasim Teli.
Representatives of businessmen community include Majeed, Javed, Meer Ateeq, Idrees and others.
The businessmen informed that they had constituted a committee of likeminded traders and were focusing on creating healthy Business atmosphere with a positive attitude. They expressed the will be allowed to purpose of All Karachi Anjman-e-Tajran and assured that no negative elements foils the business environment or create rift among the ranks of various traders.
Siraj Qasim Teli suggested that a committee comprising of representatives of business community would be constituted to ensure implementation of decision and requested the chief minister to ensure also that no representative of the administration needlessly harasses the traders since the business community was willing to take the responsibility of implementation of the announcement.
It was further decided that any complaint about any harassment will be communicated to the competent authority. Minister Power suggested that the implementation committee would be approached if there was any complaint regarding non implementation of decision.
During the meeting, the Business Community also raised the issue of KESC and registered problems about notices issued by KESC to various cottage industries on the pretext of load.
Qaim asked the business community to provide details of this mentioned issue and ensured that he will take necessary steps to address the concerned issues regarding the KESC action. He appreciated the role of business community and was satisfied that they are willing in the national spirit in order to address the challenges of energy.