Daily Times

The small and medium enterprises that drive a national economy with significant share are worried about worst-hit small businesses due to the prolonged lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of novel coronavirus.

Small businesses often can’t comply with the strict health rules now required in many regions and many don’t have the option of letting employees work from home. That could spell terrible news for Pakistan’s entrepreneurs and an even worse reality for the country’s economy. Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah on Sunday, issued directives for provincial and law enforcement authorities to devise standard operating procedures (SOPs) for industries and businesses that had been allowed to operate. CM took these measures soon after the Sindh Traders Alliance’s (STA) announcement to open all markets across the province from April 14, issued directives for provincial and law enforcement authorities to devise standard operating procedures (SOPs) for industries and businesses that had been allowed to operate. STA members have take back their decision of opening markets from April 6 and have decided to cooperate with the Sindh government to open all markets across the province from April 14, 2020.

Meanwhile, the Sindh CM while chairing a meeting that was attended by Health Minister Azra Pechuho, Sindh Education and Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, the provincial government’s spokesperson Murtaza Wahab and others, directed for the SOPs to be drafted at the earliest so business may begin again.

Earlier, before two days, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry President Sheikh Umer Rehan said industrialists have demanded from the provincial government for allowing partial operations of all the units.

He said industries have asked the Sindh government to make new standard operating procedures (SoP) and safety measures for allowing labourers and staffers to work in the industries. “We have agreed to new SoPs,” he added. Korangi Landhi Mobile Association’s Chairman, Sheikh Muhammad Akram, In a statement, said that continuous closure of markets & shops increasing financial damage. He requested the CM allowing him to open the market. He assured, “We would take all precautionary measures while dealing the customers”.

All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI) Chairman Atiq Mir had said that a complete lockdown is causing huge losses to traders. Expressing his views while talking on a local channel, he said that traders are not against the government’s decision of a lockdown, but they should be allowed to work at least two or three days a week. “We are concerned about the situation of daily-wage labourers,” he said, adding that traders are aware of the current situation but also want to see the country prosper.

Easing lockdown and allowing general industries to resume their operations by the CM, Murad Ali Shah is definitely a step ahead for the survival of the small businesses industries.