Lahore : Nov 10 : Within 24 hours , chief minister Punjab , Mohsin Naqvi, on Friday announced to put an end to smart lockdown from 8 districts .
Just 24 hours ago, the Punjab government had imposed a smart lockdown in those 8 districts of the provinces where smog had soared to dangerous level.
The traders’ community had taken strong position against imposition of smart lockdown and demanded of the chief minister Punjab to reverse the decision of his government.
Reversing the decision taken by his government just one day ago, the Punjab chief minister said the government decided to lift smart ban in 8 districts after improvement in air quality there due to recent rains. He said the hotels , markets and other commercial activities will resume as per routine on Saturday and Sunday across the Punjab.
Earlier, president of All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran and Traders Action Committee Islamabad Ajmal Baloch – Secretary Information of All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran Khalid Chaudhry. Vice President of All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran and President of Anjuman Tajran Okara Sheikh Riaz – General Secretary Waheed Bhaler – Anjuman Tajran Faisal Abad President Aslam Bhli – General Secretary Rana Ayub Manjh – Anjuman Tajran Sialkot President Ehsanul Haque Butt – President of Anjuman Tajran Kasur Haji Akram Mughal – General Secretary Asif Khokhar – President Anjuman Tajran Sheikhupura Amjad Nazir Butt – President of Anjuman Tajran Gujranwala and Deputy of Anjuman Tajran Gujranwala – Secretary General Irfan Chaudhry has said that the storm of inflation has also engulfed the businessmen of Pakistan. People’s purchasing power has been depleted while businesses have shrunk by 40%, making it difficult to meet business expenses. Business costs have also increased. The government has also increased taxes on traders. The increase in gas and electricity rates and the price of petroleum products and the high flight of the dollar have broken the back bone of the businessmen. In such circumstances, shutting down other five cities of Punjab including Lahore for three days in the name of smart lockdown is tantamount to business hostility. The business community also does not accept the business decision. Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi should limit himself to day-to-day affairs. And instead of eliminating smog from Punjab, don’t put the traders on the target of oppression and abuse. He has demanded caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar to take notice of Punjab government’s decision to close businesses. Millions of people will be affected by this cruel decision. Shutting down business in the name of smog is extremely cruel. Even during Corona, which was a global epidemic, businesses were not completely shut down. Ajmal Baloch further said that businessmen should not be forced to protest. .
