LAHORE: The traders’ bodies, rejecting the federal government’s decision to close markets by 8:00pm, threatened to move the court against the authorities, if shops are closed by force.
Addressing a press conference at Press Club, All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tijiran (APAT), All Pakistan Karyana Merchants Association, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Progressive group, LCCI Azad Group and several other trade representatives urged the government to immediately withdraw the decision. The traders’ representatives also warned the government of taking the matter to the court, if the decision imposed forcefully.
APAT Central General Secretary Naeem Mir said that the government load management plan through early closure of markets is technically wrong, as the Wapda is refusing to sell power to commercial users (traders) at highest rate of Rs24 per unit and planning to divert this unconsumed electricity to domestic or industry users at low rate of Rs8-15 per unit. Resultantly, the government revenue will further go down, increasing the circular debt further, leading to more chaos in energy crisis in the country.
He said that this is illogical that 1500MW electricity is not being sold to the business community at Rs24 per unit and being given it to other consumers at Rs8-15 per unit.
Naeem Mir observed that bureaucrats were misguiding the prime minister through wrong data about power utilization, urging the government to take real stakeholders onboard in the decision-making process.
APAT general secretary said the forced market closure plan of the government should have been discussed in the Council of Common Interests, taking all provinces on board instead of making decision unilaterally by the cabinet. It is discrimination that the markets of Karachi in Sindh remain open till 10p.m. while the shopkeepers of Punjab cities are forced to close their outlets by 8p.m who are already facing additional energy costs.
APAT Punjab President Ch Mehboob Sirki termed the plan discriminatory against retailers of Punjab, saying no such policy was implemented in the past in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
All Pakistan Karyana Merchants AssociationChairman Rao Akram Khan said the government has taken unilateral decision for closure of shops and markets without taking traders into the confidence while the local administration has come into action for its implementation which was not acceptable to the traders.
