ISLAMABAD: Businessmen and daily-wage earner in the federal capital want an early end to the sit-ins staged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek for resumption of normal business and commercial activity.
Former president Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zahid Maqbool said that the national economy had suffered a loss of Rs1,200 billion to Rs1,300 billion due to the situation created by the sit-ins in the capital.
He said businessmen were facing difficulty in meeting their international obligations and exporters and industrialists were not fulfilling their orders as agreed with foreign buyers. This is not only causing financial losses but damaging the reputation of Pakistani traders abroad, he added.
Zahid Maqbool said that after the start of operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’, foreign investors felt positive about the Pakistani economy as the government had taken a constructive and solid step to end terrorism from the country.
But after protest and sit-ins, the foreign investors had become careful, he said, adding that business activities had been suspended in the federal capital which had not only caused losses to businessmen but increased unemployment among daily-wage earners.
He said the sit-ins undermined value of the rupee and caused losses in stock exchange. Meanwhile, founding President Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Samina Fazil said that the present situation had paralyzed the whole system and affected businesses. It has become difficult to hold trade exhibitions as people are hesitant to come out of their homes, she added. She said it is right of every person in democracy to express his views but every act should be done in the ambit of constitution and law.
She said meaningful dialogue should be held among all political stakeholders for resolving the present situation. A daily wage earner Muhammad Arshad said daily-wage earners were the worst sufferers due to sit ins in Islamabad.
It has become difficult for labourers to earn two decent meals for their families, he added. He said the culture promoted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf at its sit-ins was against the Islamic values.
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