ISLAMABAD: The economic murder of the business community will not be tolerated under any circumstances and Pakistan cannot afford a lockdown again.

“Where is the wisdom in putting the economy at stake,” Mirza Abdul Rehman, coordinator for Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), said after a meeting of industrialists and traders belonging to Islamabad and north Punjab.

He said the restrictions on businesses will completely destroy traders and industrialists, especially small businesses.

Mr Rehman said the government should announce a special package for traders while it is the responsibility of the business community to ensure implementation of SOPs to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

“Does the coronavirus come out after 8pm? Where is the wisdom in putting the economy at stake? The government should reconsider its decisions or else Pakistan’s economy will be completely destroyed,” he added.

Meanwhile, Qurban Ali, chairman FPCCI Islamabad office, said that the recent ban on businesses in the country was tantamount to the economic murder of traders which would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

He added that the business community is fighting alongside the government against the deadly virus and the rush in markets had increased last year due to lack of working hours across the country.

Mr Ali added that in difficult times, the business community needs relief from the government in taxes, interest rates, loans and utility charges so that they can resume their businesses. But instead of relief, more restrictions are being imposed, he said.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2021