KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Muhammad Haroon Agar told media on Saturday that two weekly holidays of banks, customs and ports should be denotified. He said people need to work six days a week in the country’s larger interest. He said weekly two holidays were not acceptable. “The country’s economy was under great pressure and was facing challenges. We need to work 365 days a week for restoration of economy. Trade activities in industry, customs and ports get affected due to two holidays a week,” he added.
The government announced a three-day holiday for Eid (6 October to 8 October), but it was witnessed that business activities moved at a snail’s pace on Friday and Saturday.
Office of some trade and transport associations remained open while others were closed down on Friday.
Every year, collection of Rs 35 billion taxes is affected due to suspension of business activities before and during Eid. Industry has a 20 percent share in Pakistan’s GDP. Due to Eid holidays, GDP growth is also affected. Due to the holidays Pakistan suffers Rs 36 billion losses in the form of exports.
