The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Punjab Assembly to legislate against the road blockades and declare it a crime as it has become the most burning issue and hampering the trade, economic and social activities.
"Not only the legislation should be carried out but it should also be implemented in letter and spirit by the district government, law enforcement agencies and other concerned departments," said LCCI President Abdul Basit in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the blockade of busy roads and highways has become a tradition and causing huge loss to the trade and economic activities besides mentally torture to the masses.
He said people from different walks of life block the busiest roads which causes massive traffic blockage and halt all activities. The trading goods, buyers, students and even ambulances stuck in traffic and cannot get through to the hospitals, he added.
He said tough peaceful demonstrations and other forms of public protests are a fundamental right but it does not mean that every demonstration or protest should be carried out at any time, any location. The right to assemble for a cause should be permitted but the protest groups should be bound to abide by certain rules and regulations, he added.
The LCCI president said that gravity of the situation is getting severe with every passing day; therefore, the Punjab Assembly should react promptly and legislate immediately in this regard. The protest groups should be bound to take prior permission for the demonstration or protests while time, place and manners should be decided by the government.
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