Shops by 8pm, marriage halls by 10: Traders reluctant to close markets early

ISLAMABAD: The traders of the federal capital have refused to obey the government’s order to close market early and termed this decision illogical.

Representatives of the traders union and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), while addressing a press conference at the National Press Club, announced that markets and shops will remain open late into the night. They said that the traders would protest the government’s decision and observe a shutterdown strike later.

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Speaking on the occasion, leader of the traders union, Abdul Rauf, said that energy crisis had hit the entire country, but the government is only forcing traders of Islamabad to shut down their shops by 8pm.

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Muzzamil Sabri said the decision was completely unilateral and was unacceptable to the traders.

“This is an illogical decision, if we keep our shop closed in the line of the government directive, then our customers will start shopping in Rawalpindi – something we can’t afford,” said Kamran Abbasi, Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries president. Traders leader Ajmal Baloch and Kashif Chaudhry also criticised the government’s decision.