Office-bearers and leaders of over 100 markets, at a Traders Consultative Conference hosted by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry  have urged the government to open markets and small industries immediately as lockdown now has become unbearable.

LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar, Vice President Muhammad Ali Mian, former President Muhammad Ali Mian and representatives of over 100 markets spoke on the occasion.

They said that stress in trade and industry is at its peak as they are at the edge of bankruptcy due to prolonged lockdown and suspension of trade activities.

They said that if business can be opened in USA, Italy, Spain Germany and many other countries with Standard Operating Procedures than why not in Pakistan?
They said that it is a season for businesses and government would have to open all trade and industries with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as now they have nothing to spend, to pay utility bills or salaries.

They said that if the government expands the lockdown, than the traders would be compelled to open their markets/shops from 10th of May.
“They should be allowed to open their businesses whether for limited timings otherwise law and order situation would be worsened”, they added.
They said that these people are backbone of the economy and playing a great role in providing employment and revenue.

LCCI President Irfan Iqbal, Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar, Vice President Mian Zahid Jawaid Ahmad, Khalid Pervez, Ashraf Bhatti, Mehboob Ali Sirki, Mujahid Maqsood Butt, Waqar Ahmad Mian, Babar Mahmood, Haji Muhammad Hanif, Zeshan Khalil, Tahir Manzoor, Malik Muhammad Khalid, Khamis Saeed Butt, Ch. Fayyaz, Haji Ashfaq, Younis Baig, Sheikh Sajjad Afzal, Zeshan Sohail Malik, Khawaja Ijaz Ahmad, Azhar Awan, Tanvir Jatt, Liaquat Sethi, Asim Inam Magoon, Javed Bhatti, Chaudhry Amir Siddiq, Muhammad Atif, Ch. Rehan, Riffat Ali Sunny, Shahzad Iqbal, Khadam Hussain, Haji Afzal, Saleem Butt, Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigal, Arshad Khan, Haris Attiq, Aurengzeb Aslam, Akram Meher, Rana Nisar, Shahid Aslam and Malik Khalid spoke on the occasion.