ISLAMABAD: The government has agreed to the demand of business community and has allowed them to close shops in Islamabad by 10pm. Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, MNA, said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has accepted the demand of the businessmen and extended shops closures timing in Islamabad up to 10pm.
He was addressing a press conference at ICCI along with Abdul Rauf Alam Chairman, Muzzamil Hussain Sabri President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kamran Abbasi President Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry, , M. Kashif Chaudhry President Markazi Anjuman-e-Tijaran Islamabad, M. Ajmal Baloch President All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tijaran and Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi President Jinnah Super Market and former President ICCI as members, Khalid Chaudhry Coordinator Joint Action Committee and Malik Sohail Hussain Advisor Joint Action Committee.
Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has taken notice of the reservations of business community and agreed to allow traders to close shops by 10:00 pm. He said there would be no load shedding in markets from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and those who want to keep shops open from 9:00 to 10:00 pm could utilize UPS or generators.
However, he appealed to traders to cooperate with the government and ensure closure of shops in Islamabad by 10:00 pm. He clarified that there would be no time limit for restaurants and they have been exempted from this decision.
Abdul Rauf Alam, Chairman, Traders Joint Action Committee and Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and the government for giving due consideration to the demand of business community and allowing them to close shops in Islamabad by 10:00 pm. They said this great achievement was the result of strong unity in the ranks of local traders who came together at a single platform under the umbrella of ICCI for protection of their business interests.
They said business community should maintain this spirit of unity because their united voice would be given due weightage by the government and they would be able to get their problems resolved more effectively. Cabinet’s Energy Conservation Committee had taken decision on 8th April 2015 under the Chair of Prime Minister to close shops in Islamabad by 8 pm as a part of energy conservation measures.
