Demand to Extend Smart Lockdown Timings, Markets Should Remain Open Till 10 PM

Karachi (Staff Reporter): Renowned businessman Shehzad Mubeen has urged the government to immediately review the closing timings of business centers under the smart lockdown and allow markets to remain open until 10 PM so that business activities are not adversely affected and traders can get relief from financial difficulties.
In his statement, he said that the current business timings have put the trading community under severe economic pressure, as limited operating hours have significantly reduced business activity. Meanwhile, expenses such as shop rents, utility bills, employees’ salaries, and other operational costs continue to remain unchanged.
He added that the closure of markets at 8 or 9 PM is making it increasingly difficult for traders to cover their expenses. Shehzad Mubeen stated that if the government’s objective is to regulate economic activities, then the concerns of the business community should also be taken into consideration.
He further pointed out that in some areas, early closure of businesses creates security concerns, exposing traders to incidents of robbery and street crime.
He appealed to the government to provide relief to the business community by extending market closing hours to 10 PM, allowing traders sufficient time to conduct business and helping keep the wheels of the economy moving.