Karachi: Traders Announce ‘Fill The Jail’ Movement, Reject New Restrictions

Karachi traders have decided not to close shops at 8 pm against government orders, announcing a ‘Fill The Jail’ movement.

According to details, Sindh Traders Union and All City Traders Union have held a joint press conference in this regard in which they announced that they will not close shops from today even if they are arrested or put in jail.

Traders say that “we are being forced into lockdown, shops have been declared to be closed at 8 o’clock for economic genocide, lockdown has been enforced by issuing a royal decree”.

Traders Union further said that last year’s loss was thought to be due to lockdown, the government should provide free coronavaccine to the people, last year, the Sindh government announced tax exemption, however, taxes are constantly being raised.

Earlier, the traders of Pakistan’s economic hub Karachi has rejected the new business hours issued by the Sindh government.

In view of increasing cases of the coronavirus, the Sindh government has restricted business hours. Shops, markets and bazaars in the city will be allowed to open from 6 am to 8 pm. The business community is protesting against the limited business hours imposed by the Sindh government and demanded the Sindh government to reconsider the decision.

President Anjuman-e-Tajran Karachi Javed Shams said that this time is applicable for the food business but it is not acceptable for markets for textiles, electronics and other items. He said that limiting business hours would affect Ramadan shopping.

President Anjuman-e-Tajiran Karachi demanded from the government to set new business hours by taking the traders into confidence while ensuring strict implementation of SOPs to prevent coronavirus,

Note that earlier, amid the increasing number of cases of Coronavirus, the Sindh government has issued a new order regarding COVID-19 SOPs.

In view of Coronavirus, Sindh Home Department has issued an order regarding SOPs. The new SOPs will be applicable till April 11.

Wedding ceremonies have been banned in Sindh from April 6, under which indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies will be banned.

The order said a complete ban on social events, including rallies while locking down areas where 8% of coronavirus reported, would also restrict movement.

The order further added that the shopping malls would remain open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. while eating inside the restaurant would be prohibited and the restaurant is allowed to remain open until 10 p.m.

The order issued by the Sindh Home Department further said that it has been decided to keep business centres open from 6 am to 8 pm while masks are mandatory in offices and public places and 50 per cent staff will work from home.

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