Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) & Former President KCCI Zubair Motiwala, and President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) M. Shariq Vohra, while expressing deep concerns over the decision once again to close down dining in the facility at all restaurants and many other businesses, stated that shutting down businesses to contain further spread of the pandemic was not the solution as it would only intensify the hardships for people hence, the government should devise an effective strategy for strict implementation of SOPs instead of closing down businesses.
In a statement issued, Chairman BMG and President KCCI said that millions of people associated with restaurants, hotels, cafes, cinema houses, indoor gyms, indoor sports and inland tourism etc. would die of starvation instead of dying due to diseases triggered by the pandemic; therefore, the government must understand the gravity of the situation and withdraw the unjust decision to once again close down numerous businesses.
“After going through the toughest time of their lives, the owners of restaurants, cinema houses and other businesses took the much-awaited sigh of relief as they were allowed to carry out their businesses but unfortunately within a few days, the Home Department has once again ordered them to close down which is highly unfair”, said Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, adding that majority should not be subjected to penal action like closing down.
He believed that all types of businesses have to be allowed to operate at total capacity with strict implementation of SOPs, which is the only way to save the economy and the businesses from total collapse.
Chairman BMG stated that various businesses, including restaurants, hotels, cinema houses, sports facilities, and educational institutes etc. had remained completely closed since long that has resulted in plunging all these businesses on the verge of complete collapse. “These businesses are already going through terrible crises and the curbs imposed once again would wipe them out forever that would lead to further intensifying the hardships not only for the business community but also for the already ailing economy, besides triggering massive unemployment which would prove more dangerous than the coronavirus pandemic.”
Zubair Motiwala, therefore, stressed to withdraw the fresh order issued by Home Department while the administration should be effectively utilized for strict implementation of SOPs. “If the administration is able to strictly get the shops/ businesses closed then why it is not being used for strict implementation of SOPs”, he asked, adding that the Sindh government will have to alleviate the predicament of businessmen instead of aggravating them and it is high time that the administration must actively play its due role.
President KCCI Shariq Vohra said that the government, instead of taking action against those who were not abiding by the SOPs, has penalized all the businesses by ordering them to remain closed till July 31 which has triggered a lot of anxiety amongst businessmen who have been constantly approaching KCCI to seek assistance.
Keeping in view the overall situation and grievances suffered by the business and industrial community, President KCCI hoped that the Sindh government would provide the desperately needed relief to local businesses by completely revoking the order issued by Home Department on top priority so that the businesses and the economy could be saved from further disaster.
Chairman BMG and President KCCI prayed that may Almighty Allah save all of us from the pandemic which has terribly affected all the segments of the society.