PESHAWAR: President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sherbaz Bilour has expressed reservations over issuance of notification regarding closure of businesses on Saturday and Sunday and urged the government to avoid imposing anti-trader policies and allow business activities on weekends.

Chairing a meeting of business community here at the chamber house on Thursday, Bilour said that the restrictions to close trade and commercial hubs, including bazaars, wedding halls and markets by 8pm and complete suspension of businesses on Saturday and Sunday will further worsen the situation. SCCI senior vice president Engineer Manzoor Elahi, vice president Junaid Altaf, office-bearers of different trade bodies were also present during the meeting.

It is pertinent to mention here that the KP government has notified the closure of markets on Saturday and Sunday in nine Covid-hit districts including Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Swat, Kohat, Charsadda, Swabi, Malakand and Lower Dir districts. He urged the government to immediately withdraw the new Covid-19 restrictions. He said the traders have suffered immense financial losses during former lockdown.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021