KARACHI: After reopening of many sectors, including markets, offices and other institutions that were closed after the Covid-19 pandemic, Karachi Marriage Halls Association has asked the government to allow them to carry out their businesses and assured the government that they would follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Addressing a press conference, the association secretary, Khawaja Muhammad Tariq, and other office-bearers, said that when all businesses had been allowed to operate in the country, such as shopping malls, Inter- and intra-city transport, airlines, Nadra mega centres, cattle markets and places of worship, then why marriage halls/ banquets were not allowed to operate under SOPs.

They said they were ready to follow all precautionary measures and adopt SOPs, including maintaining social distancing.

“We will ensure that only close relatives of a groom and bride attend the event and that too after wearing face masks and keep using sanitisers,” they added.

They said they were ready to accommodate those whose events were postponed during the pandemic.

They said that separate buffet would be arranged and guests would be served with dinner in phases.

“According to Prime Minister Imran Khan that we all now have to learn to live with this virus. Businesses in Pakistan are now open under SOPs. Unfortunately, federal and provincial governments have failed to realise its impact on the economy as almost 50 per cent of the total industry in the country are associated with marriage hall industry,” they added.

They said that due to closure of marriage halls, almost more than one million people directly and indirectly associated with allied industries had become jobless in the metropolis.

Moreover, the government has failed to realise its importance.

Long closures have forced the people to organise marriage functions in homes.

Resultantly, 50 to 100 persons are invited at homes in functions which is violation of SOPs. Such neglect from the government can cause virus to spread more speedily and it can only be controlled if such functions are allowed to be held in purpose-built spacious marriage halls, where experts can make such events possible in line with SOPs.

Marriage halls are one of the places where SOPs can be followed in its true spirit, they said.

They requested the government that it immediately announce a relief package for this industry in order to allow it to survive along with the exemption in fixed taxes for a period of three years.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2020