Karachi: Sindh government assured concerned fraternities of traders, marriage halls and restaurant owners that it will try to convince relevant federal authorities to accept their suggestions about curtailment of business hours to conserve energy.

Assurance to this effect was given as Sindh government's authorities held talks with representatives of different associations of markets, marriage halls and restaurant owners in city.

Sindh government was represented on occasion by provincial Labour and Human Resources Minister Saeed Ghani, Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla and Industries Minister Jam Ikaramullah Dharjeo. Ministers were assisted by Karachi's Administrator Syed Saif-ur-Rehman, Commissioner Iqbal Memon and senior police officials.

Saeed Ghani told concerned businessmen that central government proposed certain stringent measures including curtailing hours of markets due to current unsatisfactory economic situation in country. 

He assured concerned businessmen that Sindh Chief Minister and K-Electric officials would be contacted to make sure that markets got uninterrupted electric supply during business hours. He told concerned that federal government suggested shutting markets by 8pm daily while restaurants and marriage halls would be required to close their operations by 10pm.

Ghani said Sindh government would try its best to convince federal authorities to adhere to opinion of majority of concerned businessmen in city about issue of curtailment of daily business hours. He said meeting had been convened as consultative session to inform concerned traders about stringent steps proposed by federal government to avoid any untoward situation in country due to unsatisfactory state of economy.

He said relevant federal authorities had also been informed that Sindh government would take decision to curtail timings of markets and other businesses in city only after duly consulting concerned businessmen.

He told concerned business owners that he had duly noted suggestions put forth by them as now talks would be held with K-Electric and federal government on these recommendations. He expressed hope that demands made by concerned businessmen would be accepted to large extent.

Leaders of different market associations suggested that shopping centres and retail stores should be allowed to remain open from 11am to 9pm. Leaders of traders demanded that markets in city should be allowed to remain functional till 10pm on Saturdays only.  Restaurant owners suggested that eateries in Karachi should be allowed to remain open till 12 midnight while home delivery service should remain functional round-the-clock.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 30 2022

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