03 October 2004	Sunday	17 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 2: Industrialists have reacted strongly over the city government's decision of declaring October 6 as a public holiday for a cricket match.

They have expressed dismay and concern over the fact that though the annual gazetted holidays had been brought down from 23 to 13 to improve productivity, the unscheduled holidays nullify the purpose of the exercise.

Karachi, with daily exports of about $12 million (over Rs700 million) and over 50 per cent contribution to the exchequer, is a major contributor to the GDP of the country.

It must also be remembered that a holiday of even a single day incurs heavy cost in term of competitiveness of the product and unemployment of the daily wage earners, chairman Site Association of Industry, Mohammad Nisar Sheikhani said.

In a statement, he said that holiday culture does not suit a country like Pakistan in view of the type and level our economy is or, for that matter, the ambitious economic programmes the government has adopted. Under the circumstances, this city or this country can least afford holidays on such trivial matters as a cricket match.

He appealed to the Sindh government that, if a local holiday is declared, notification under the Factories Act, should not be issued. "Let the wheels of industry roll on," he added.

The president, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Khalid Firoz Arfeen, in a statement, said that all commercial and industrial establishments, including offices of Karahi Chamber, will remain open on Wednesday, the October 6.