ISLAMABAD: President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sardar Tahir Mehmood has expressed grave concern over the escalating challenges faced by the business community in Islamabad, due to the imposition of restrictive market timings by the federal government.
Addressing a highly attended press conference at the Chamber House on Wednesday, he stated that the abrupt enforcement of strict business hours has not only disrupted commercial activity but has also negatively impacted the daily lives of citizens.
He highlighted that the situation has been further aggravated by over two hours of load shedding during peak business hours, severely affecting productivity and bringing many commercial operations close to a halt.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood noted that the impact extends beyond traders, as citizens are equally facing hardship. Limited shopping hours, combined with electricity outages, have made routine life increasingly difficult, particularly during the evening.
Drawing attention to a critical issue, he said that inconsistent policies across provinces are creating a sense of discrimination. He pointed out that while markets in Sindh operate until 9:00 PM and restaurants until 11:30 PM, businesses in Islamabad are subjected to much stricter limitations, an approach that undermines business confidence.
He urged the government to take immediate corrective measures, including revisiting business operating hours, allowing markets in Islamabad to remain open at least until 10:00 PM, introducing rational timings for restaurants and food outlets, and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply during peak commercial hours.
He further emphasized that the formulation of business-friendly policies is essential to attract foreign investment, particularly from Gulf countries, where the current situation has adversely affected investor confidence.
