Karachi, January 05, 2023 (PPI-OT): President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Mohammed Tariq Yousuf, while referring to numerous meetings with shopkeepers, marriage halls and restaurants’ owners, stated that it was not practically possible to implement this decision particularly in case of Karachi because of its dynamics which are different as compared to rest of Pakistan hence this city must be treated accordingly.
In a statement issued, President KCCI said that the business community fully understands the need for taking energy conservation measures to deal with rising circular debt but the decision to close down shops, restaurants and marriage halls earlier was totally impractical Karachi city where the business activities start off in the afternoon while the peak shopping hours were in between 7:00PM to 10:00PM.
Hence, President KCCI fervently appealed the government that instead of closing down shops earlier, shopkeepers must be allowed to stay operational till 10:00PM whereas the marriage halls and restaurants must also be permitted to carry on their businesses till 11:00PM.
He said that a similar decision was also taken in the past when the business timing was reduced to 8:00PM that led to bringing many businesses were bankrupt so the then government enhanced timings to 10:00PM and the same can be confirmed by relevant notifications issued in the past. “We need not to repeat history that would be a futile exercise, therefore, the lawmakers are requested to save businesses and the economy from more woes.”
Keeping in view the repercussions of reduced business timings for shops and restaurants, President KCCI
hoped that the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his team would take notice of business community’s plea and issue directives for enhancing the business hours as reduced business timings would prove disastrous not only for businesses but also for the economy.
For more information, contact:
Director Press/Electronic Media and Public Relations
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road, Off Shahrah-e-Liaquat,
Karachi-74000
Phone: +92-21-99218001-09
Fax: +92-21-99218040
Email: info@kcci.com.pk, secretary@kcci.com.pk
Website: www.kcci.com.pk