ISLAMABAD: Majority of markets in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad remained open on Saturday despite a ban imposed by the local administrations on commercial activities except essential services on the weekends.Rawalpindi Traders Association President Sharjeel Mir told Dawn that after a meeting with the local administration, the traders decided to open shops on Sunday and close them on Friday and Saturday. He said the closing timing for markets had also been increased from 6pm to 8pm.

Noman Nazim, a spokesman for the capital administration, said teams under the supervision of assistant commissioners and magistrates remained on their toes to close commercial activities all over the capital.

The teams visited all Marakiz and shopping malls and found commercial activities, including shops, open at Aabpara, G-8 and other area, and closed them.

A team led by the AC Industrial Area visited Centaurus Mall where some shops were found open. The team closed all non-essential commodity stores.

The team also visited I-8 and G-8 Marakiz and closed shops and restaurants that were open. The spokesman said strict instructions have been issued to ensure adherence to the Covid-19 lockdown on weekends.Besides, trader unions of these areas have been taken on board, he added.

The team also visited Faisal Mosque which is closed for general public except for those coming to offer prayers.

The AC Shalimar led a team of officials and inspected different Marakiz, including G-10, where hops and commercial activities other than essential items/services were found open and the same were got closed. Those not following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) were fined.

Teams from administrations visit business centres and get non-essential commodity stores closed

The AC rural visited restaurants, malls and shops in Tarlai, PWD Colony and Jinnah Town and ordered owners of shops and commercial activities to strictly implement the SOPs.

The AC Secretariat visited Marriott Hotel to check implementation of the SOPs, where Nadia Cafe has been closed as per directions of the government and no guests are allowed there for dine-ins.

In-house guests are also being served outside in the open under strict compliance of Covid-19 protocols, he added.

The AC also visited schools/academies in Bhara Kahu, Kiyani Road, after receiving complaints. But all schools were found closed except one where exams were being conducted under strict SOPs.A team of the capital administration also visited Safa Gold Mall and found shops and other commercial activities open and got them closed and issued warring to the owners.

Rawalpindi

Despite imposition of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) to close shops and markets on Saturdays and Sundays, some traders in Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi openedtheir shops.

Shops in Bohar Bazaar and adjoiningmarkets remained open. The traders tried to open their shops in the morning but the local administration and police arrived and got them closed.

Most of the shopkeepers in Bara Bazaar remained present in the market waiting for a call from the traders’ association to open their businesses.

Hustle and bustle was seen in Raja Bazaar as people were seen shopping from stalls established on footpaths and roadsides too.

Shopkeepers were seen sitting outside their shops and selling products from closed doors.

In Raja Sultan Market, police sealed more than 30 shops for violating the ban.

Compared to the city areas, all markets remained closed in the cantonment areas, including Saddar and Chaklala Scheme-III.

Rawalpindi Traders Association President Sharjeel Mir told Dawn that some traders tried to open their outlets but the trader leaders stopped them from doing so.Commissioner Mohammad Mehmood has directed the administrations of all the four districts to implement the market timings and take action against the violators.

He said the government had imposed a ban on mass functions and gatherings in the province under the new SOPs. All markets, educational institutions, cinemas and private offices and businesses will remain closed on the weekends, he added.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2021