Rawalpindi: President Central Anjuman Tajran Punjab, Shahid Ghafour Pracha, has demanded that in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, shop closing time should be extended from 8 p.m to 10 p.m., while food outlets should be allowed to operate from 10 p.m. to 12 night.
He said that the trader community is the backbone of the national economy, and their issues must be resolved on an urgent basis. He warned that if their peaceful demands are not accepted, protests will be launched not only in Rawalpindi but across the entire province of Punjab.
He expressed these views during a press conference at Rawalpindi Press Club. On this occasion, Chairman Rawalpindi Restaurant Caterers Sweet and Bakers Association, Mumtaz Ahmed, along with Sheikh Hafeez, Raja Tohid, Tariq Khan Gondal, Ahmed Khan, and other representatives of trader organizations were also present.
Trader leaders said that government restrictions are severely affecting business activities. They added that rising petroleum prices are reducing the purchasing power of the public, which is directly impacting businesses; therefore, unnecessary taxes should be abolished.
Shahid Ghafour Pracha said that traders are peaceful citizens and have always cooperated with the government, but if their issues are not resolved, they will be forced to protest. He added that reducing business hours is causing heavy financial losses, and even a two-hour reduction results in losses worth millions of rupees.
