Sindh: Traders demand softening in lockdown

KARACHI: Industrialists have called for the Sindh government to resume partial business.

It should be noted that the food and pharmaceutical industries were already exempted from this ongoing lockdown, but now trade organizations are urging the government to include more entities in this list of immunity.

In a meeting with city and provincial authorities in this regard, the industrialists presented a list of their 125 units that demanded permission to be activated.

It should be noted that last week the same group identified 75 units last week.

In addition, he reiterated the demand of traders in which the constant closure of markets and shops is increasing the fear of chaos.

It may be recalled that a delegation of industrialists called on the Chief Secretary Sindh, Secretary Industry and Commissioner Karachi to convince them to open industries so that workers could be paid salaries and in case the markets were partially opened, shipments would be restored. Possible.

Sheikh Omar Rihan, president of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, said the industrialists demanded the provincial government to allow all units to be partially operated.

Traders demanded the government of Sindh to set new standards (SOPs) and security measures for the industry, its laborers and staff, while we are ready to implement these new SOPs, he said.

Sheikh Omar Rehan said that the Chief Secretary pointed out that the government can only consider allowing units that have their own labor colonies.

Meanwhile, Sulaiman Chawla, chairman of the Site Association of Industry, said that the industries had demanded the government of Sindh to exempt the packaging units of various products, including foodstuffs and medicines.

Also, the Council of Textile Association, Zubair Motiwala, said that the Secretary Industries is still working with industrialists on the project which will allow labor colonial units to operate after new SOPs and precautions.

On the other hand, groups of businessmen also pressured the provincial government to allow them to open shops and markets.

Ahmed Shamsi, general secretary of the All City Traders Association, said that the government should talk to Sindh businessmen so that they can resume business after adopting security measures.

He said that if it is not possible to open the market fully, then the government should consider making time to open and close the markets so that the daily wage earners and other staff can earn their living.

Additionally, according to Karachi Electronic Dealers Association President Mohammad Irfan Rizwan, Commissioner Karachi first informed his delegation that the lockdown in Karachi would remain in force until April 6, but it was later extended to April 14.

Meanwhile, Sindh Traders' Union Chairman Jamil Ahmed Paracha appealed to the Chief Minister to allow them to open shops as the worries of shopkeepers and workers are increasing due to the lockdown.

At the same time, he said employers are not in a position to pay salaries